At Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Inc., the work we do to support and uplift our members is driven by principle — specifically, the SEVEN COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES.
Of these seven, the last, but not least, is CONCERN FOR COMMUNITY, which calls us to “work for the sustainable development of our communities through policies supported by our membership.”
It not only shapes our identity; it drives our mission: DELIVERING ENERGY FOR LIFE.
At WEC, we serve our communities by providing essential services, funding local causes, investing in our youth, promoting education and workforce training, supporting economic development and growth, and carrying out community service projects that help our neighbors in need.
Why? Because we call this place home, too. Our employees live, work, and raise their families alongside members like you, and trustees (elected by members like you) are our neighbors who care deeply about the future we all share together.
This personal connection drives us to do more than deliver energy — it drives us to EMPOWER each other and ENERGIZE the places we call home!
POWERING THE PANTRY
In recent years, we transformed our longstanding food drive, Cram the Van, into POWER THE PANTRY. Each year, this cooperative-wide service project ensures shelves are stocked before the holiday season across a dozen local food banks in our southwest and central Kansas service territory.
By revitalizing our fundraising efforts online, through local, friendly school competitions, and via our annual charity golf tournament, we’ve expanded our impact and helped more families through tough times.
To kick off our campaign last fall, we committed $50,000 to local food banks and then set our sights on DOUBLING OUR IMPACT to reach $100,000. Thanks to the generosity of our membership, we achieved that goal. We raised $110,287 ($1 = 1 pound of food) with 76% of our donation reflecting cash donations!
The greatest reward was seeing the COMPASSION AND GENEROSITY of our cooperative family, supporting fellow members in need with hope and stability.
SHARING OUR SUCCESS
Our SHARING SUCCESS FUND is another way we’re deeply connected to the communities we serve. Made possible through contributions from WEC and CoBank, one of our cooperative lending partners, this program has provided $1,000 grants to up to 20 nonprofits and community-based projects annually in years past.
With CoBank’s $10,000 matching contributions in years past, we’ve been able to make $195,000 available since 2012.
hese funds support local fire departments, senior centers, public and private schools, healthcare facilities and hospitals, youth programs, libraries and other local projects.
With CoBank’s $15,000 matching contribution this year, we’re scheduled to distribute $30,000 in 2025!
Through Sharing Success, we COLLABORATE with local organizations, demonstrating compassion and embodying our seventh and most important cooperative principle.
KEEPING YOU CONNECTED
Understanding Kansas’ unpredictable weather, WEC launched an automatic standby GENERATOR PROGRAM in partnership with Generac®, designed specifically with our members in mind.
With affordable financing and installation by trusted local electricians, this program delivers reliable, accessible backup power with the personalized service our cooperative is known for.
In addition, as ELECTRIC VEHICLE adoption grows, WEC is empowering members with convenient, cost-effective charging solutions. Financing options for Level 2 home chargers make EV ownership easier, while public ChargePoint® stations that we installed in Garden City, Great Bend and Harper strengthen our region’s EV infrastructure.
Lastly, through the addition of two all-electric fleet vehicles and hands-on local RIDE+DRIVE events, we prioritize education and help members confidently embrace new technology.
Beyond supplying power, WEC partners with local electricians to offer trusted energy advice and quality ELECTRICIAN SERVICES tailored to members’ needs.
This member-driven approach reinforces our COMMITMENT to community investment. By blending innovation with cooperative values, we’re dedicated to engaging and empowering members today, while preparing to meet your future energy needs!
EMPOWERING OUR YOUTH
At WEC, we’re deeply committed to investing in the next generation of leaders. Each summer, we fund all-expenses-paid leadership experiences for high school juniors through the ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE YOUTH TOUR to Washington, D.C., and the COOPERATIVE YOUTH LEADERSHIP CAMP near Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
These unique opportunities educate students about the cooperative difference and inspire them to actively contribute to their communities while building lasting friendships with peers from across the country.
Beyond leadership development, we also support higher education by awarding at least 14 $1,000 academic scholarships every spring to graduating seniors. By investing in higher education, we’re here to help open doors to new opportunities, encourage achievement, and help strengthen the future of our youth, their families and the communities we proudly serve.
POWERING YOUR LIFE
When power goes out, our lineworkers are there, working around the clock to restore service safely and quickly. But at WEC, our commitment extends far beyond your electric meter.
That’s because we empower our members every day through the programs and initiatives we’ve already mentioned and by supporting local youth sports teams, providing bottled water at community events, assisting stranded motorists, and so much more.
These actions reflect our dedication to energizing the communities we call home. Our vision is clear: to improve the quality of life for our members. Together, we’re building stronger connections, fostering trust, and lighting the way toward a more vibrant future for all.
By empowering our members and energizing our communities, we are continuing to fulfill our mission of DELIVERING ENERGY FOR LIFE!
