WE Power the PANTRY in 2025!
For years, we crammed a BIG RED VAN with food to support the communities we serve—collecting more than 214 tons of donations over 11 years!
But in 2023, we shifted gears to make an even greater impact with 💵 monetary donations through POWER THE PANTRY — and the results speak for themselves.
💥 This year, we're committing another $50,000 to support local food banks — but we can’t do it without YOU.
🤝 Our food banks rely on donations to feed neighbors in need.
Every $20 you give by Oct. 9 helps us POWER THE PANTRY — and enters you to WIN 4 tickets 🎟️ to the Kansas State vs. Kansas game in Lawrence on Oct. 25!
🌟 Show your concern for community. Help us fight hunger — one donation at a time.
For every $20 you donate by Oct. 9, 2025, you'll be entered to WIN!
❤️ Thank you—together, WE can make a difference!
STEERING OUR ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE IN A NEW DIRECTION
At Wheatland Electric, caring for our communities isn’t just something we say—it’s something we do.
Back in 2014, we set out to deepen our commitment to the Seventh Cooperative Principle: Concern for Community. After brainstorming a few ideas, we landed on a simple yet impactful plan: a fall food drive to support local food banks. And just like that, Cram the Van was born.
We pulled the seats out of our biggest vehicle—a big red Chevy van—wrapped it in bright graphics, fired up the grill for thank-you burgers and hot dogs, and hit the road to collect non-perishable food donations from our members.
That first year came with its challenges, but the response from our communities was powerful. We ended the season with 6,615 pounds of food donated, setting the stage for something much bigger.
Each year since, Cram the Van has grown—with school competitions, new stops, and record-breaking results. Rain, wind, heat, or cold, we’ve shown up across our service territory. And our communities have always delivered. Over 214 tons of food have been collected and distributed to local food banks—right where the donations were made.
When 2020 brought unforeseen challenges with the pandemic, we shifted to drive-thru events, keeping safety top of mind. Thanks to our members, we still donated 32,206 pounds of food that year. We came back even stronger in 2021 with 44,576 pounds, and in 2022, we set a new record: 54,599 pounds—a 22% increase!
In 2023, as we celebrated our 75th anniversary of service and a decade of Cram the Van, we shifted gears again—committing $50,000 across a dozen food banks to POWER THE PANTRY.
Our goal: to double our impact. And together, we nearly did, raising $90,785 in cash and food donations that year. That brought our 10-year total to 317,693 pounds—or over 159 tons!
Today, Power the Pantry has become one of the most visible ways we live out Concern for Community—but it’s our members who make the difference. We’re proud to help make it happen.
To our employees, volunteers, and generous members—thank you. We’re excited for what’s next. And as always, thank you for helping us POWER THE PANTRY, year after year!
WE THINK BIG! CRAM THE VAN 2022
