A non-profit organization is moving toward energy savings to assist even more people in Greene County.

The Greene County Action Resource Center (ARC) was awarded a $32,227 grant from the Greene County Community Foundation earlier this year to install solar panels. ARC Manager Shirley Haupert explains who inspired her about this project.

“Our son has solar panels and I was able to see first hand how much he was saving and I thought, ‘Well if he can save that I need to pass that benefit along to the food pantry.’ Because our electricity bills, which is like every other bill that you and I pay, are not getting any cheaper. And I says, ‘I have to tap into this utility savings.’”   

Haupert says by using solar energy, they will save $5,000-$6,000 per year on utilities. She is grateful for the grant the food pantry received from the community foundation.

“Of course we were just so excited because even the volunteers know how much it costs to operate that place and to buy the food. So this money that we were awarded will now be able to save us money on utilities which now I can use that $6,000 a year and I can buy food, which I’m going to need to going forward as we all know things are tough. No, it was a huge benefit for that grant to give to us.”   

Haupert adds the 70 solar panels were supposed to have been installed on the east side of the property this past June, but because of supply chain issues, she is hoping the project begins later this month.