CNS Pantex fund surpasses $1 million in Panhandle giving

  • Posted: Wednesday, August 31, 2022, 9:26 am

Pantex employees designated more than $100k for local organizations in 2022

AMARILLO, Texas – Fourteen Panhandle non-profits received a total of $107,100 from the Consolidated Nuclear Security (CNS) Community Investment Fund at a ceremony August 24.

Now in its seventh year, the fund has awarded a cumulative $1.07 million in grants to 64 nonprofits in the Texas Panhandle.

The Community Investment Fund is a partnership between CNS, the managing and operating contractor of the Pantex Plant, and the Amarillo Area Foundation.

Kenny Steward speaks at the CNS Community Investment Grant Ceremony held at Pantex August 24
Kenny Steward speaks at the CNS Community Investment Grant Ceremony held at Pantex August 24

“Pantex is invested in our community, and our partnership with the Amarillo Area Foundation supports local growth and development,” said Pantex Community Investment Advisory Committee Chair Ryan Johnston. “This year marks a significant milestone in giving from CNS, and we are pleased to announce new grants to 14 nonprofits that provide wonderful support to our community.”

“This support means that the variety of nonprofits that serve residents in the priority target areas of basic needs of food, clothing and shelter; children, youth and families; community development; education; and health and wellness are improving our community holistically with CNS funding,” said Sarah Griffin, Amarillo Area Foundation Grants Program Officer. “Over $1 million in grant distributions demonstrates a sincere care for the people who are living, working, and serving in this often-underserved area of our great state of Texas.”

This year’s recipients are:

  • Eveline’s Sunshine Cottage - $10,000 to support the ESC Program equipping at-risk women through basic needs and education
  • Faith City Mission - $7,600 to provide for basic needs for the homeless
  • Martha’s Home - $10,000 to support the Present Needs Future Success Program with basic needs and education for clients
  • Ronald McDonald House Charities of Amarillo - $8,500 to support the Share a Night Program
  • Downtown Women’s Center - $10,000 to support the DWC’s Recovery Program
  • High Plains Food Bank - $7,500 to support Kids Café
  • Amarillo Area CASA - $10,000 for travel support for visiting foster children
  • Cactus Cares Foundation - $5,000 to support the P.O.W.E.R. Program (Protein Outreach with Educational Resources)
  • Make-A-Wish North Texas - $5,500 to provide for wish granting in the Texas Panhandle
  • Guyon Saunders Resource Center - $10,000 to provide for the Helping the Homeless Program
  • Texas Ramp Project - $5,500 to support the Amarillo Ramp Project
  • The Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center - $5,000 to support technology upgrades
  • Family Support Services - $10,000 to support the Overcoming Barriers Program
  • Pampa’s Tribute to Woody Guthrie - $2,500 for an updated sound system

CNS first met with the Amarillo Area Foundation in 2014 to create an innovative and effective method for contributing to the community in a way that would also better engage Pantex employees. Continued conversations led to creation of the Pantex Community Investment Fund in 2015.

“We are honored to be part of the Panhandle community and, as we pass $1 million in giving since the Community Investment Fund began, we are proud of the many ways the fund has made a difference in the lives of our neighbors thanks to the hard work of our non-profit partners,” said Jason Bohne, CNS senior director of Communications.

“Community contributions of this magnitude have a tremendous ripple effect in the lives of countless Texas Panhandle residents,” Griffin said. “We are truly grateful for this partnership as this combined effort is what leads to change and community improvement.”

Pantex employees who serve on the Community Investment Fund committee are chosen to serve two-year terms to represent their colleagues. Eleven employees participated in 2022.

“By far, my favorite part about the Amarillo Area Foundation’s partnership with CNS was working with the Pantex employees on the Grant Advisory Committee and its leadership,” Griffin said. “Each year, the committee does a thorough and thoughtful job as they recommend funding nonprofits who are benefiting the Texas Panhandle community.”

CNS Community Investment Grant Recipients are pictured following the grant ceremony
CNS Community Investment Grant Recipients are pictured following the grant ceremony

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Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC operates the Pantex Plant, located in Amarillo, Texas, and the Y-12 National Security Complex, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, under a single contract for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration. CNS member companies include Bechtel National, Inc.; Leidos, Inc.; ATK Launch Systems, Inc.; and SOC LLC. Pantex and Y-12 are key facilities in the U.S. Nuclear Security Enterprise, and CNS performs its work with a focus on performance excellence and the imperatives of safety, security, zero defects and delivery as promised.

For more information on each site, visit www.pantex.energy.gov or www.y12.doe.gov. Follow Pantex on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. Follow Y-12 on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT
Steve Myers
Communications
Office (806) 573.6032
Cell (806) 236.2826

Stephen.Myers@pxy12.doe.gov