Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) recently received a $3,000 contribution from CoBank to award to End Hunger In Calvert County.

Through its Sharing Success program, CoBank created a $3 million charitable fund to benefit cooperatives and the charitable groups they support. As a CoBank customer, SMECO was eligible to receive funds to be awarded to an organization it supports. SMECO participated in the dragon boat races held in June 2013 at North Beach to benefit End Hunger In Calvert County.

Angie Verras, SMECO Accounting and Budgeting Director, applied to CoBank for the matching contribution. According to Verras, “When I found out about CoBank’s Sharing Success program, I thought SMECO should apply on behalf of this worthy organization and that End Hunger would be a perfect candidate for a contribution. SMECO employees work hard to support local charities and our customer-members deserve the opportunity to benefit from CoBank’s generosity.”

End Hunger In Calvert County has been working for six years to feed the working poor. “Last year, we provided one million pounds of food to local residents,” said Reverend Robert Hahn, the CEO of End Hunger In Calvert County. He added, “We have a successful program because we have support from businesses, community leaders, local residents, and volunteers. We appreciate the support that SMECO and other businesses provide.”

The organization also works closely with social service agencies, shelters, United Way organizations and others to help adults and children who need assistance. “We’re making a difference in Calvert County because the people who live here are willing to provide support when their neighbors most need it,” Hahn said.

About CoBank

CoBank is a $94 billion cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving more than 70,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country.

CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture and the nation’s rural economy. Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and also maintains an international representative office in Singapore.

For more information about CoBank, visit the bank’s web