Great Lakes Energy recently awarded grants to eight different organizations through their 2026 People’s Fund.

One of those organizations includes Angels of Action of Big Rapids, who received a $2,500 grant. This money will go towards new tote bags for Operation Delivery, a weekly food program to help children in need.

“We are deeply thankful to Great Lakes Energy for investing in the well being of local children,” Executive Director Kim Easler said. “Together, we are helping fight childhood hunger one delivery at a time."

Another organization receiving funds is the Osceola County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Based in Reed City, CERT will receive $2,000 for 20 new safety barricades to help traffic control.

Other awarded groups include the following:

• Luther Area Public Library: $5,000 to replace five doors and remodel the front entrance to be ADA compliant, contingent on raising the rest of the funding.

• Luther Fire District No. 1: $3,690 to replace three SCBA cylinders.

• Marion Community Fire Department: $4,000 for a smoke machine for the fire fighter training center.

• Mason County Rural Fire Authority (Custer): $5,842.80 to replace three outdated AED’s for area fire departments.

• McClure-Rabb Idlewild Foundation: $2,750 for the Education in The Wild youth event.

• Pathfinder Community Library (Baldwin): $3,894 to replace non-fiction bookshelves.

Since it was established in 1999, Great Lakes Energy’s People Fund has awarded more than $5.2 million in grants.

“At Great Lakes Energy, ‘Concern for Community’ isn’t just one of our guiding principles; it’s something we live out every day,” Great Lakes Energy President and CEO Shaun Lamp said. “Through the People Fund, we partner with our members to deliver meaningful support to local programs and projects, creating a lasting difference across the communities we serve.”

For more information on the People Fund, visit: https://www.gtlakes.com/people-fund/.