Paying It Forward: Fueling Meals for Local Kids 

The holiday season is a time for celebrating with family and friends—but it’s also a season that can be especially difficult for many families when it comes to providing consistent, nutritious meals. This year, we at Grant PUD are thrilled to share how our Pay it Forward Fund, facilitated in partnership with our key partner Microsoft and the Columbia Basin Foundation (CBF), helped make the Boys & Girls Club of the Columbia Basin’s first-ever Winter Break Backpack Food Program a reality!

What is the Pay it Forward Fund?

Pay it Forward is a special fund held by Columbia Basin Foundation (CBF) that receives contributions from Grant PUD customers who want to make a positive impact in our community. The fund’s areas of focus include:

• Essential living needs – Helping ensure that individuals and families have access to everyday necessities.

• Technology – Supporting programs that bring technological resources to those who need them.

• Education – Championing educational opportunities and programs for all ages.

Disbursements from the fund are coordinated through CBF, Grant PUD, and our generous donors, allowing us to direct resources where they are needed most.

Making the Christmas Break Backpack Food Program Possible 

When the Boys & Girls Club of the Columbia Basin put out the call to help feed local children over the extended holiday break, we knew right away this was a perfect fit for the Pay it Forward mission. Together, we collaborated with the Club to secure the funds and gather volunteers.

Then came the fun part: packing the meals! Our Grant PUD Public Affairs team and the incredible Boys & Girls Club staff filled backpacks with enough breakfast, lunch, and dinner items to last 14 days for each participating child.

All told, 65 club members went home with these holiday break meal backpacks—an amazing 910 meals in total. Knowing that 65 children in our community could celebrate the holiday season without worrying about their next meal is what Pay it Forward is all about.

A Shoutout from the Boys & Girls Club

The Boys & Girls Club of the Columbia Basin shared their gratitude, posting:

“A big shoutout to Grant PUD for helping us make our first-ever Christmas Break Backpack Food Program happen! Because of your support, 65 club members took home 14 days' worth of breakfast, lunch, and dinner, totaling an incredible 910 meals! This holiday season feels a little brighter knowing so many kids have what they need.”

We are grateful for these kind words, which reaffirm our commitment to responsibly using the Pay it Forward funds to support the well-being of families throughout our region

How You Can Help

If you’d like to get involved with Pay it Forward, or contribute to initiatives like these, please consider:

1. Donating to the Pay it Forward fund – Contributions go directly toward essential living needs, technology, and educational initiatives within Grant County.

2. Volunteering with local organizations – Giving your time is just as valuable as giving a donation.

3. Spreading the word – Share this story with friends, family, and neighbors so they too can see the impact of working together for the common good.

Looking Ahead

This successful partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of the Columbia Basin is just one example of how, together, we can make a substantial difference in the lives of those in our community. We can’t wait to see what other projects the Pay it Forward fund will bring to life in the future.

From all of us at Grant PUD, thank you for helping us light up the holidays for local kids in need. Here’s to a new year of possibilities, hope, and community support!

Learn more about how you can get involved with Pay it Forward and the Columbia Basin Foundation

Visit: Grant PUD Website • Columbia Basin Foundation

Thank you for being part of our journey to uplift and strengthen our community.