Basin Electric was named a 2021 Hunger Relief Champion by the Great Plains Food Bank, the state's largest hunger-relief organization and the only food bank in the state of North Dakota. Four awards were given to organizations or individuals who were nominated and selected based on their dedication and commitment to Great Plains Food Bank’s mission.
Over the past 15 years, Basin Electric has been a steadfast supporter of the Great Plains Food Bank. Financial commitments have totaled more than $90,000 during that time and have been instrumental in reaching the Feed the Future capital campaign goal that helped to open the Great Plains Food Bank Bismarck Regional Service Center.
“The Great Plains Food Bank distributes food all across the state, so having the new service center in Bismarck has helped food get to people in the western half of the state even faster,” said Jennifer Holen, charitable giving administrator for Basin Electric. “Basin Electric has members in western North Dakota, so it was important to us to support this project to make sure members are getting the food their families need.”
Basin Electric is also a leading match partner during Giving Hearts Day each year.
Basin Electric’s commitment to hunger relief extends to its employees through regular volunteering to pack meals for those in need, annual giving through their Casual for a Cause jeans day, and donating food items grown as part of their community garden project.
Most recently, after finding out that there is a large need for diapers across the state, Basin Electric employees held a diaper drive, collecting 5,147 diapers.
“Many North Dakotans seeking food assistance are parents who need expensive diapers,” said Ron Walters, Great Plains Food Bank major gift officer. “As a designated diaper bank, providing diapers allows parents to stretch their resources, helping feed the one in four suffering from hunger in our state.”
“When you look at Basin Electric’s 15-year history with us, they’ve done so much, from food drives to their recent large donation for our Regional Service Center in Bismarck,” said Melissa Sobolik, Great Plains Food Bank CEO. “It takes all of us working together to be able to touch the lives of one in six North Dakotans who seek food assistance each year. We’re grateful for all of our incredible champions this year.”
Other recipients of the Hunger Relief Champion award were Nancy Johnson, Gowri Pillai, and Jim Barnhardt.
Learn more about the other recipients.
