Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Inc. (WEC) is ready to POWER THE PANTRY in 2024 with a $50,000 commitment to local food banks across our southwest and central Kansas service territories and a chance for you to win 4 tickets to a Kansas City Chiefs football game!
Since Cram the Van’s inaugural year in 2014, the cooperative—employees, trustees, volunteers, and co-op members alike—have all pitched in to cram WEC’s BIG RED VAN with food donations for our community food banks.
Last year, in an effort to maximize the campaign’s impact, WEC refocused their approach. In lieu of traveling and hosting in-person events across their service territory, WEC committed $50,000 to 12 food banks with the goal of matching those funds with community contributions. Although we didn't quite reach our goal, WEC successfully distributed $90,785 to area food banks.
This year, WEC is again working to raise $50,000 in matching funds through an online donation drive, sponsorships at their sixth annual Co-ops Care Charity Golf Tournamenthttps://www.weci.net/coops-care (Sept. 6, 2024), and contributions generously made by vendors, local businesses, and other community partners. All funds raised will directly support local food banks as they prepare for the holiday season.
Members can power their local pantry, too, by making a monetary donation at their local Wheatland office (200 10th St.), or by making a quick and easy donation onlinehttps://www.weci.net/cram-van-food-drive. Donors can choose to direct their contributions to any of the dozen food banks that are part of this year’s campaign.
As a ‘thank-you’ for helping us Power the Pantry, donors will be entered for a chance to win four tickets to the Chiefs/Broncos game, taking place at Arrowhead Stadium on November 10, for every $20 donated between now and October 23, 2024.
For more information on donating or partnering to help meet our food bank goal, email memberservices@weci.net.
About Cram the Van
Every fall since 2014, Wheatland Electric has hosted community gatherings, school competitions, and other events to collect donations for local food banks across our service territory. The annual food drive is coined “Cram the Van” thanks to their signature fleet vehicle: a red, extended passenger van used to collect and deliver donations.
Over the past ten years, and thanks to the generosity of the communities they serve, Wheatland has been able to facilitate the collection of more than 159 tons (317,693 lbs.) of food for local food banks across southwest and central Kansas. All contributions are directed or delivered to the community food bank selected by the donor. For more information, visit www.weci.net/cram-van-food-drive.
