Operation Round Up

South River EMC is proud to provide a means for customers to help the community where they live – and it proves that small change changes lives.

Operation Round Up is a voluntary program to have your electric bill rounded up to the next whole dollar. By doing this, members can put their nickels and dimes to work and benefit our community. Operation Round Up will provide a financial boost for the community in the form of grants. Check out our Operation Round Up Brochure for a quick overview.

How Does It Work?

Operation Round Up is just what the name implies. Each month, the electric cooperative simply “rounds up” the electric bills of participating members to the next highest dollar. For example, let’s say your bill one month is $81.75, the bill would be automatically rounded up to $82 and the extra 25¢ would be deposited in the Operation Round Up fund. Through participation in Operation Round Up, the average contribution per member is approximately 50¢ a month, or $6 annually. Small change to the individual, can add up to thousands of dollars for the program. Who controls the funds? The South River Community Assistance Corporation, or CAC, a nonprofit foundation, will handle the distribution of funds. An independent board of directors, made up of community leaders, will govern the CAC and the distribution of funds. The funds will be given primarily to organizations that are serving either the health, safety, educational or recreational needs of citizens within our service area or to individuals or families who have fallen on unusually tough times. Some examples of possible uses of the funds could be new equipment for a volunteer fire department, educational equipment for a school, lighting for a ball field, emergency assistance for a weather-related disaster, etc. It is not for past due electric bills or any kind of political contributions.

The Community Assistance Corporation (CAC) Board Members:

Jenny Wood, Four Oaks

Dr. Graham Dalton, Hope Mills

John Wengert, Clinton

Gary Weeks, Clinton

Sue Godwin, Eastover

Renee Ellmers, Dunn

Beverly Pone, Fayetteville

How Do I Participate?

The program is voluntary. Each member is automatically signed up to participate, but any member who chooses not to participate, may withdraw by simply notifying the Cooperative. Any customer who previously decided not to participate and changes their mind, may sign up by calling the Cooperative office.

We realize that not everyone will be able to or have the desire to participate in this program. Several of the bills mailed in recent months have included a special insert with an opt-out form to be filled out and returned to the office. This is a voluntary program and all contributions are tax deductible. You can also opt out by contacting our office at (910)892-8071 or (800)338-5530 or send an e-mail to sremc@sremc.com. Please put “Operation Round Up Opt-Out” in the subject line.

What If Someone Becomes An Accidental Participant?

Once the program launches, anyone can withdraw from Operation Round Up at anytime by contacting South River EMC and receive a refund for all contributions they have made. If you choose not to participate in this program, please contact our office at (910)892-8071 or (800)338-5530 or send an e-mail to sremc@sremc.com. Please put “Operation Round Up Opt-Out” in the subject line.

Who Can Apply?

South River Electric Membership Corporation administers Operation Round Up through the Community Assistance Corporation.  Nonprofit agencies in Harnett, Cumberland, Sampson, Johnston and Bladen counties may apply for up to $5,000 annually to implement programs or purchase needed equipment to facilitate a program, which will help in our local communities.  Individuals or families who find themselves in unusually grave need of assistance may apply for up to $1000 once every five years. Individuals/families must receive electric service from South River EMC to qualify for a grant. Funding goes only to agencies that provide service in the area served by South River EMC.

Each organization can only receive ONE grant per calendar year.  Individuals and families can only receive ONE grant per five calendar years. Applications are now available for the September funding cycle. Completed applications are due to the Cooperative headquarters no later than August 22.

Guidelines can be viewed here. (pdf)

Guidelines (word document)

CAC Agency Application (pdf)

Agency Application (word document)

CAC Individual/Family Application (pdf)

Individual/Family Application (word document)

When Are Grants Distributed?

Operation Round Up grants are awarded by the Community Assistance Corporation quarterly each calendar year in March, June, September and December. Applications are now available for the September funding cycle. Completed applications are due to the Cooperative headquarters no later than August 22.

Notification of funding will be made by the last day of the funding month. For example, if you submit a grant for September, your organization will be notified by the last day of September if it has or has not been awarded a grant.