Flathead Electric grants support Libby athletes, food bank

Flathead Electric's Roundup for Safety Board awarded $37,225 in community safety grants to nonprofit organizations in Libby at its Sept. 8 meeting.

One included a $7,500 grant requested jointly by the Libby Loggers cross country team and the Kootenai Cross Country Ski Club.

Another was a $8,000 grant to build a covered walkway at the Libby Food Pantry.

Loggers head coach Brittany Katzer requested pop-up tents with walls to protect runners and skiers from Northwest Montana’s mercurial weather.

The teams are no strangers to competing in extreme heat, cold and wind. This fall, there are 44 runners. This winter, more than 100 skiers are expected to participate in the ski club, three days per week.

The teams also asked the Board for assistance in purchasing a first aid kit and water coolers to improve athlete hydration.

“Keeping our Libby athletes safe is of the utmost importance,” Katzer told the Board.

The board agreed and noted the partnership between the cross country running and ski teams with approval.

Roundup for Safety is a voluntary program for Flathead Electric Cooperative members who allow their electric bills to be rounded up to the next dollar, with the extra money going into a fund for community safety projects proposed by nonprofit organizations and considered by an independent board.

Since 1997, members of Flathead Electric Cooperative have rounded up their bills to a total of $4.5 million in community safety project funding.

For nonprofits interested in applying for community safety funds, visit www.flatheadelectric.com/roundup or call Courtney Stone at 406-751-1820.

Grant applications are accepted on Flathead Electric Co-op's website and are due by the end of each month for consideration at the following month’s meeting.