Members continue to be stewards of their community by participating in Operation Round Up.

South River EMC recently awarded $49,764 in grants through Operation Round Up.

The following non-profit organizations and schools received funding:

• Dunn Emergency Services: $5,000
• Erwin Churches Helping Others (ECHO): $5,000
• Friends Fighting Cancer, Inc.: $5,000
• Five N Two Food Pantry: $5,000
• Clement Volunteer Fire Department: $5,730
• Westarea Volunteer Fire Department: $4,505
• Mingo Masonic Lodge: $1,100
• Hargrove Elementary: $9,925
• Buies Creek Elementary: $8,504

Operation Round Up is a voluntary program that enables members of South River EMC to round up their electric bill to the next whole dollar.

For example, if a bill is $193.24, the bill rounds up to $194 and the extra 76¢ is deposited into the Community Assistance Corporation fund.

This change, added to others' contributions, can make for big changes in the community.

South River EMC accepts and reviews applications on a quarterly basis. The next deadline for applications is May 23 by 5 p.m.

Applications can be found online at sremc.com. Please note, handwritten applications are not accepted, and an online application is required.