BUSINESS NEWS
Wheatland Electric will be hosting this year’s Cram the Van food drive at September’s Final Friday at Great Bend Alive Plaza on Friday, September 30, 2022 from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend and help support the Community Food Bank of Barton County with a cash or can donation.
Wheatland is headed into 2022 with a renewed commitment to the communities they serve – “Think BIG!” is this year’s motto – Big Energy, Big Support, Big Community, Big Ideas. Wheatland is hoping to make this year’s Cram the Van their BIGGEST, BRIGHTEST and BEST year yet!
This month’s venue will feature the newly painted Art Alley, which is the alley between the 2000 block of Forest and Lakin Aves., designed by local artist Melanie Ryan, and painted by community volunteers.
September’s Final Friday activities include live music, food, drinks, and a livestream of the Great Bend High School varsity football game against Dodge City. Go Panthers! Attendees are encouraged to bring a cash or can donation to Cram the Van, play the 50/50 raffle, register for prizes, and join the fun! All proceeds will benefit the Community Food Bank of Barton County.
On-site donors will also be able to enter to win a Samsung Smart Projector Freestyle valued at $700. A winner will be drawn at the end of the Cram the Van season.
Monetary donations can also be made online at https://www.weci.net/cram-van-food-drive, and all online donors will be entered for a chance to win a nugget ice maker for every $10 donated (value: $630). Donors can specify the agency or food pantry they wish to donate to when making their online donation.
Donations will also be accepted during the months of September and October at all of Wheatland’s local offices. For a full list, visit https://www.weci.net/our-offices.
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 their 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 eight years, and thanks to the generosity of the communities they serve, Wheatland has been able to facilitate the collection of more than 86 tons (172,309 lbs.) of food for local food banks across southwest and southcentral Kansas.
All contributions are always delivered to the community food bank where the donations are made. For more information, visit https://www.weci.net/cram-van-food-drive.