For EMC Insurance Company’s 100th aniversary, the company has decided it’s better to give than to receive, and Pell City’s Christian Love Pantry has benefitted from their generosity.With some public support, the agency could receive even more to further their misison of feeding the less fortunate.

Earlier this week, Tom O’Connell of EMC Insurance was on hand to present a check to Christian Love Pantry director Mike Carr for $1,000.

The agency is giving away 100 $1,000 grants to non-profit agencies like Christian Love Pantry nominated by their agents across the country. Those who win the $1,000 grants are also in the running for one of four additional $25,000 grants, which are decided by voting at http://www.countonemc.com/give/charity.asp?charity=88&CharityName=ChristianLovePantry&CharityLocation=Alabama. [http://tinyurl.com/ChristianLovePantry is a shortened version of the address.] Voters can vote one per day from any given computer through Oct. 8.

Christian Love Pantry provides food for 200 families per month who are struggling financially in the Pell City area.

“Annually, we spend $60,000 on food, so the $25,000 would go toward more food,” Carr said. “We’re 100 percent volunteer, so we pay the rent, our utilities and our phone line, but everything else goes to buying groceries.”