ORANGE PARK – Clay Electric Cooperative’s Steve Hollingsworth delivered a $10,000 donation to the Clothes Closet and Food Pantry Monday morning.

The “big” gift will be used to “bolster our efforts in nourishing our valued clients. The profound impact of this gesture is nothing short of a blessing of magnanimous proportions for our community that relies on our support,” said Closet President Mandy Nelson.

“The collaboration in this endeavor is greatly appreciated, and we look forward to the positive ripple effect that this generous contribution from Clay Electric Cooperative will undoubtedly create,” said volunteer Anita Aultman.

The Pantry helps Clay County residents through times of crisis by assisting them to meet basic needs. Clay Electric’s Operation Round Up gave them a $10,000 donation to bolster their food-related initiatives. This remarkable display of compassion will significantly enhance the Pantry’s capacity to extend help to even more needy individuals. We wholeheartedly encourage you to join in supporting The Clothes Closet and Food Pantry. To contribute, please visit ccfpop.org/.

According to Clay Electric, improving the quality of life of our members and strengthening our communities is their mission. Our Operation Round Up program is one of the main ways we do this.

As of October 2022, the company has helped 273 organizations by giving them more than $5.2 million in grants.

Clay Electric implemented Operation Round Up in 2016. The program “rounds up” each participating member’s bill to the nearest dollar, and that tax-deductible amount goes directly to the Clay Electric Foundation.

Clay Electric has a long history of supporting charitable and community service organizations, from children’s programs and athletic organizations to food banks and scouting. Our leadership sees the Operation Round Up program as part of our cooperative heritage and values – people coming together to help their neighbors. Through Operation Round Up, our members have the opportunity to come together to create change in their communities through a foundation – something they couldn’t do individually on this scale.

Operation Round Up aims to address charitable needs and provide financial assistance to improve the quality of life in the 14 counties Clay Electric serves. Programs, projects and organizations are essential components of a community’s overall quality of life, emphasizing public safety, health care, self-sufficiency, and basic human needs.