Wheatland Electric Cooperative Inc., has made $1,000 in donations this year to the Community Food Bank of Barton County in Great Bend to assist with stocking the pantry for needy families. 

The initiative, which is an extension of Wheatland’s annual Cram the Van food drive and its ongoing Power On campaign, allows the utility to embody one of its seven cooperative principles: concern for community. 

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

In addition to the food bank in Great Bend, Wheatland has made over $9,000 in donations total to area food banks in the communities they serve across southwest and south-central Kansas. 

“At Wheatland Electric, we recognize that the ongoing pandemic has had severe effects 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.” 

In addition, as part of the ongoing Power On campaign, Wheatland has also provided 700 bottles of hand cleanser to all first responders across its service territory, purchased treats from local businesses to all employees of the seven hospitals Wheatland serves, and given away “Downtown Dollars/Chamber Bucks,” valued at $50 per employee, to encourage local spending. 

“Supporting our local first responders, health-care workers, local businesses, and food banks allows us to give back to the communities we serve,” Mueller said. “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.”