As we navigate the challenges of the pandemic together, Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Inc., has made over $9,000 in donations to local food banks in the communities we serve.

This initiative, an extension of Wheatland’s annual “Cram the Van” food drive and our ongoing Power On campaign, allows us to embody one of our seven cooperative principles: concern for community.

This means that while we focus on member needs, we also work toward the sustainable development of our communities, much like other electric cooperatives across the nation.

“At Wheatland Electric, we recognize that the ongoing pandemic has had severe affects to families we know, businesses where we shop, and our local economies as a whole,” said Bruce W. Mueller, CEO/General Manager. “We’re here to do our part to make sure our local food banks can address food insecurity issues and help those who need it the most.”

This year Wheatland made donations totaling $9,100 to the following local agencies to assist with pantry supplies: Hamilton County Food Pantry in Syracuse; Caldwell Community Food Bank and United Methodist Food Bank in Caldwell; Genesis Family Health in Garden City; Community Food Bank of Barton County in Great Bend; Greeley County Food Bank in Tribune; Harper Mission Mart in Harper; Wichita County Food Bank in Leoti; Hope’s Closet in Scott City; Horns for Hope c/o USD 363 in Holcomb; and Emmaus House in Garden City.

As part of our Power On project, we’ve also provided 700 bottles of hand cleanser to all first responders across our service territory, purchased treats from local businesses to all employees of the seven hospitals Wheatland serves, and gave away “Downtown Dollars/Chamber Bucks,” valued at $50 per employee, to encourage local spending.

“Supporting our local first-responders, healthcare workers, local businesses, and food banks allows us to give back to the communities we serve,” Mueller added. “We’re here to not only help in the short term but also to provide safe, reliable and competitively priced electricity to our rural neighbors.”

Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Inc., a member owned distribution cooperative headquartered in Scott City, KS, was established in 1948 as a distribution and power cooperative in the state of Kansas.

Today, Wheatland Electric serves more than 33,000 electric meters in 17 counties and maintains over 4,000 miles of distribution power lines across Western and South-Central Kansas. Together, with the help of our members, Wheatland Electric is committed to building a better and stronger rural America. For more information visit www.weci.net.