SCOTT CITY–Thanks to the combined efforts of Wheatland Electric members, businesses, and community partners, the 2024 Power the Pantry campaign raised $110,287 in cash and food donations for a dozen local food banks.
Over the past decade, WEC has facilitated the collection of nearly 214 tons of food donations — an astounding 427,980 pounds ($1 = 1 lb.). Every fall since 2014, Wheatland Electric has rallied communities across southwest and central Kansas to support local food banks through Cram The Van, an annual food drive featuring community gatherings, school competitions and collection events. The program was named for its signature red passenger van which played a prominent role transporting donations to food banks across WEC’s service territory. In 2023, WEC shifted their efforts (and retired their van) to better meet the needs of community food banks by launching the Power the Pantry initiative, pledging $50,000 annually.
This past fall, they worked to double the impact of their cash donation, with a goal of raising $100,000 for the food banks that serve as a safety net across the communities we serve.
Through an online fundraising campaign where donors were entered to win Chiefs/Broncos tickets, monetary donations from co-op members across our seven districts, a friendly school competition in Great Bend, a food drive partnership with students in Conway Springs, and the sixth annual Co-ops Care Charity Golf Tournament, held Sept. 6, they exceeded their $100,000 goal.
As the campaign and the outpouring from communities has grown, focus has shifted to maximizing the impact through cash donations, which are preferable to food items as they eliminate waste, reduce storage needs, and offer flexibility by allowing food banks to purchase perishable items such as meat and cheese, and provide vouchers to food bank patrons to use at local groceries.
In addition to the monetary donations, food items from the Great Bend Schools Competition sponsored by Gifting Forward (7,365 lbs.) and Cardinals Care Challenge in Conway Springs (1,517 items) were delivered to area food banks. Tyson Fresh Meats, contributed $17,500 worth of honey deli ham, providing high-quality, protein-rich meat for distribution to families in need.
“We are thrilled to share that this year’s Power the Pantry campaign not only met but surpassed our goal, enabling us to make a meaningful difference for our local food banks,” shared Alli Conine, director of member services and corporate communications. “This success reflects the incredible generosity and unwavering support of our members, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this contribution possible.”
The following monetary donations were delivered to the following food banks just before Thanksgiving:
• Caldwell – United Methodist Food Pantry ($3,167) and Caldwell Food Bank ($5,762)
• Conway Springs – Conway Springs Mission Mart (Cardinals Care partnership $6,996) plus 1,517 food items
• Finney County – Emmaus House ($6,007) and Genesis Family Health ($5,667)
• Great Bend – Community Food Bank of Barton County ($13,938), plus 7,365 lbs. of food
• Harper – Harper Mission Mart ($6,742)
• Holcomb – Horns for Hope - USD 363 ($3,055)
• Leoti – Wichita County Ministerial Alliance ($6,937)
• Scott City – Hope’s Closet/Ministerial Alliance ($12,742)
• Syracuse – Hamilton County Food Pantry ($6,594)
• Tribune – Greeley County Food Bank ($6,374)
