BLUEBONNET ELECTRIC AWARDS $90,000 TO FIRE DEPARTMENTS, FOOD PANTRIES

Josh Blaschke October 3, 2026

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative will award $1,000 grants to 64 fire departments and 26 food pantries serving communities across the cooperative’s 14-county service area.

Bluebonnet’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the grants during its September board meeting. The grants are being awarded this month.

Bluebonnet Board Chair Ben Flencher said the service that these fire departments and food pantries provide to Bluebonnet’s members and communities is “vitally important”, adding, “The work they do helps people and families at the time when they need it the most.” He said, “Providing these grants is one of the proudest things we do at Bluebonnet.”

The grants will support firefighters and first responders with helping to cover essential costs such as fuel, equipment, repairs and other critical needs. They will also help food pantries provide holiday meals during Thanksgiving and Christmas that many families would not have otherwise.

The grants do not come from Bluebonnet members’ bill payments or rates. They are funded through unclaimed capital credit payments to former members that are returned to Bluebonnet from the State of Texas.

Bluebonnet General Manager Matt Bentke said the cooperative is committed to serving its members and communities by supporting these essential organizations. He said, “Our partnerships with and ongoing support for these organizations are an integral part of Bluebonnet’s core and culture.”

A complete list of grant recipients from Washington and surrounding counties around the area can be seen below:

Washington County Fire Departments: