SCOTT CITY–Thanks to the combined efforts of our members, businesses and community partners, this year’s POWER THE PANTRY campaign raised an outstanding $130,203 IN CASH AND FOOD DONATIONS to support 12 local food pantries.
Over the past 11 years, Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Inc. (WEC) has helped collect more than 279 TONS OF FOOD — 558,183 pounds — in total ($1 = 1 lb. of food) from this community service project!
Since 2014, WEC has rallied communities across southwest and central Kansas each fall to support local food banks through Power the Pantry (formerly Cram the Van).
For nearly a decade, the campaign featured community gatherings, school competitions, and in-person collection events featuring a large, red extended-passenger van used to collect food donations.
Beginning in 2023, with the blessing of our board of trustees, the initiative evolved to better meet the needs of food pantries by shifting toward cash-focused support and establishing a pledge of $50,000 ANNUALLY from our cooperative.
In 2025, for the third year in a row, we worked to DOUBLE THE IMPACT of that pledge by aiming to raise $100,000 for the many food pantries that serve as a vital safety net across our service territory — an ambitious goal our communities not only met but exceeded for the second year in a row!
Through a months-long online fundraising campaign featuring a SUNFLOWER SHOWDOWN (KU vs. K-State) ticket drawing, monetary donations from co-op members across our seven districts, employee donations, a spirited school competition in Great Bend, a collaborative student-driven food drive in Conway Springs, and our SEVENTH ANNUAL CO-OPS CARE CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT held Sept. 26, we achieved a remarkable $130,203 total ($1=1 lb. of food ) in this record-setting campaign!
As both the campaign and community support have grown over the years, our focus has continued to shift toward CASH DONATIONS, which offer the greatest impact. Monetary contributions reduce waste, eliminate storage burdens, and give food pantries the flexibility to purchase perishable items — such as meat and cheese — or provide grocery vouchers directly to families, according to food pantry directors.
In addition to these cash contributions, food items collected through the GREAT BEND SCHOOLS COMPETITION, sponsored by Gifting Forward (10,944 pounds), and the CARDINALS CARE CHALLENGE in Conway Springs (2,063 items of food) were delivered to local food banks in November.
We also extend a special thank-you to TYSON FRESH MEATS, which generously donated $32,742 worth of HONEY TURKEY DELI MEAT, providing high-quality, protein-rich options for families ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
“This year’s results show what’s possible when communities come together with a shared purpose,”
said Alli Conine, director of member services and corporate communications. “Exceeding our goal means local food banks will have the resources they need to better serve families, and we’re honored to be a part of that impact.”
As we continue to uphold the SEVENTH COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLE: CONCERN FOR COMMUNITY, we
are inspired by the compassion and dedication demonstrated by our co-op members, trustees, employees and community partners.
Together, we aim to help ensure families across our service area have access to the essential food resources they need, especially around the holiday season. Thank you for helping us Power the Pantry in 2025!
