(KAIR)--Five local area organizations will benefit from the latest round of funding provided by a local electric cooperative.

In September, FreeState Electric Cooperative gifted $21,000 to the agencies, which include the Valley Falls Recreation Commission, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, the Tonganoxie Public Library, the Delaware Township Library, and the Dover Federated Church Pantry.

Since 2017, the cooperative has provided support to 24 local organizations, totaling nearly $68,000.

According to a news release issued by FreeState, the funds are made available through members of the cooperative rounding-up their monthly electric bill to allow for the tax deductible contribution.

Stating that October is Cooperative Month, FreeState reminds its members that the Operation Round-Up program provides them with what the release calls “a tremendous opportunity to to demonstrate and extend its commitment to their communities.”

All Operation Round-Up funds are collected by the FreeState Community Foundation, which operates the charitable program adopted by hundreds of electric cooperatives across the country. A voluntary committee of five co-op members serves to make decisions in the best interest of participating members. Of the funds collected through the program, 100 percent goes to charitable organizations through an application and selection process. The committee uses special guidelines and policies when choosing recipients.

For more information about the program go here and here. 

FreeState Electric Cooperative is the largest rural electric cooperative in eastern Kansas, and the fifth largest rural electric cooperative in the state.

Comprised of nearly 15,000 member-owners, the cooperative was formed through the consolidation of Leavenworth-Jefferson and Kaw Valley Electric Cooperatives in April, 2016.

It serves nine local Kansas counties, and provides infrastructure to Fort Leavenworth.