Partner Groups Help Round Up in Community

On the fourth Monday of every month, the Weld County Food Bank sets up its mobile food pantry at the intersection of Weld County Road 37 and Lilac Drive in Lochbuie. Early in the morning, as volunteers unload pallets of food from the pantry’s box truck, cars begin lining the surrounding streets. Local families arrive eager and grateful to receive meats, produce, beans, rice, and various other food items. More than 200 households receive food through the pantry’s monthly distribution. 

It is an unfortunate reality that all communities are home to vulnerable individuals and families who are struggling with financial limitations. In Weld County, nearly 40% of households are living in the margin between poverty and the basic cost of living, according to the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Report. Service organizations like the Weld County Food Bank exist to provide some assistance. Operation Round Up, which is a program funded and operated by the United Power Round Up Foundation, was introduced at the cooperative to tie together the needs that often exceed availability, the philosophy that cooperatives give back to the local community, and the belief that members are motivated to contribute. 

The United Power Round Up Foundation receives its funding from members who voluntarily elect to have their monthly billing statements “rounded up” to the next whole dollar. Those funds are monitored by a board of member volunteers, ensuring every dollar goes back into the community. The board works closely with partner organizations to leverage local connections and maximize each dollar’s benefit in the community. 

The foundation board added two partner organizations in 2025 to address growing food insecurity in local communities.
Weld County Food Bank and the Food Bank of the Rockies joined the roster of partner organizations receiving regular, ongoing assistance to support United Power members. Almost Home in Brighton, the Carbon Valley Help Center in Frederick, Canyon Cares in Coal Creek Canyon, and Catholic Charities in Fort Lupton have been partner organizations since 2017.

“We are able to reach more of the community working with partner organizations,” said Andrea Nabarrete, who joined the foundation board in 2005. “We have better outreach, better coverage of services, and it prioritizes the greatest impact to our members.”

Round Up donations average just $6 annually for members who are enrolled, but that small change makes waves. The foundation has been able to distribute approximately $3 million in assistance since it launched in 1995, including nearly $370,000 in 2025. Last year, Round Up celebrated its 30th anniversary. 

“Round Up is a valuable way United Power demonstrates its commitment to the community beyond being the local electric utility,” said Round Up Foundation Board Chair Dale McCall. “It is a tremendous achievement to celebrate 30 years of giving back, but it is an even greater accomplishment to say we have been able to help so many people.”

Throughout the years, members have continued to show up for their neighbors through program participation. That is The Power of Local in action. Your giving changes lives.

“I am grateful to our members who participate,” said McCall, “and to the cooperative for continuing to support Round Up all this time.”