2022 Touchstone Energy Community Award Winner Announced

McLeod Cooperative Power is honored to award its 2022 Touchstone Energy Community Award to the McLeod Food Shelf. This annual award recognizes a local business or community group that made a positive impact within the Co-op’s service territory during the past year.
This year’s winning organization, McLeod Food Shelf (MFS), is being recognized for its Mobile Outreach Program. The program experienced its first full year of service in 2021 allowing the organization to serve additional cities in McLeod County with its mobile outreach bus. The vehicle brings needed food and other supplies to those in need twice a month at seven locations throughout the county. This past year the program provided enough food to provide over 43,000 meals. Community members support the program through donations, but also by volunteering to stock the bus, drive it to the various locations, and assist those that utilize the mobile program. The mobile program is now responsible for 25% of MFS’ total service to McLeod County.

As this year’s award winner, McLeod Food Shelf receives a $500 donation from McLeod Co-op Power. Additionally, they will contend for the statewide Touchstone Energy Community Award with the statewide winner receiving an additional donation of $2,000. The statewide award winner will be recognized at the Minnesota Rural Electric Association annual meeting in 2023.
We received a total of 4 nominations for this year’s Touchstone Energy Community Award. Thank you to everyone that submitted nominations. We also applaud these groups and all the others that are working tirelessly to improve their communities. Thank you for your service!
The Minnesota Touchstone Energy Cooperatives are part of a national alliance of more than 750 electric cooperatives in 46 states that adhere to the values of integrity, accountability, innovation, and commitment to the community.