Blue Ridge Electric Co-op Employees Give $9,500 to Help 500 Oconee Seniors Buy Fresh Local Produce

Employee gift expands United Way of Oconee’s Senior Nutrition Program at the Foothills Heritage Farmers’ Market

OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. — A donation from Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative employees put more fresh fruits and vegetables in the hands of more Oconee County seniors this summer.

Through the co-op's Employee Days of Giving campaign, employees contributed $9,500 to the 2026 United Way of Oconee (UWOC) Senior Nutrition Program in partnership with the SC DSS Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program. Through this partnership, Oconee seniors received $50 in vouchers to use with authorized South Carolina farmers.  With other contributed funds through community partnerships, the UWOC can offer extra help to qualifying Oconee seniors through tokens to purchase additional produce with Oconee farmers only at the Foothills Heritage Farmers' Market.

That employee gift expanded the program on both ends. In 2025, the program reached 400 seniors with $50 in vouchers and $10 in coins. This year, the co-op's contribution help reach 500 seniors with $50 vouchers and added $20 in coins to be used with our local farmers at Foothills Heritage Farmers’ Market. The market was open to the public every summer Saturday through October 3.

“Blue Ridge has worked alongside United Way of Oconee for many years, so when we heard about the Senior Farmers’ Market program and United Way’s wish to increase the amount participants receive, it fit perfectly with the goal of our giving campaign. Our employees have always had a heart for giving back to the communities we serve, and we are excited to be part of this initiative.” - Amy Childress, Senior Director of Community Relations

The program's partnership between United Way of Oconee and the South Carolina Department of Social Services is one that is greatly needed and is a staple to our Oconee seniors, said UWOC CEO LaShauna Harrison.

“We start getting calls by January each year from seniors, asking if we’re going to continue this program,” she said. “This is no exaggeration – they will call us every single week, sometimes daily, asking until we announce we have the funding and the program will happen this summer. Those seniors will wait an hour in line on distribution day to get their allotment. That shows how popular this program is to our seniors. We are also grateful for the support and partnership with Foothills Heritage Market to help us expand this program.”

‘It’s wonderful Blue Ridge did this’

Retirees Bob and Laura Sloan of Walhalla said their Saturday favorites were watermelon, cantaloupe and tomatoes. Laura liked that the tokens and vouchers stay local, since seniors can only spend them with Oconee farmers.

“I think it’s a good thing for the farmers and it’s a good thing for the people that are getting out,” she said. “It’s good for everybody.”

“I know a lot of people who really appreciate the coins,” Bob added. “I really like that Blue Ridge did this.”

Ida Harrison, 85, said the farmers' market has helped her eat healthier since a severe heart disease diagnosis years ago. She likes to make vegetable soup after a trip to the market.

“I love going up to the farmers’ market. There are a lot of vendors, and we get everything – okra, squash, cucumbers, blueberries, and cabbage. I’m able to get a lot,” she said. “I really need the fresh vegetables for my health. It’s wonderful that Blue Ridge did this. It helps so many people that otherwise wouldn’t be able to get this.”

Other senior programs available

While the United Way’s Senior Nutrition Program partnership with the SC DSS Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program is the local United Way's largest offering to seniors, UWOC's Harrison stressed there are other ways the organization helps Oconee residents. The United Way runs a free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in partnership with the IRS that offers free tax prep assistance to individuals and families making $68,000 or less, which includes many Oconee seniors. It also offers a basic needs program that provides hygiene kits and diapers, including adult and elder care supplies, out of its Seneca office.

“We are here to help serve our community,” she said.

For more information about UWOC, visit oconeeunitedway.org or call 864-882-9743.