Guided by the Cooperative Principles
Apr 17, 2026
By Annie Gerber, Talent and Partnership Coordinator
At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to the Seven Cooperative Principles—guiding values that shape our mission, culture, and connection to the members we serve. This year, we are placing a special focus on the Seventh Cooperative Principle: Concern for Community.
Our commitment to this principle shines through in the ways we invest in our local communities: through volunteer service, financial support, and events that bring people together. When we give back, we help build stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities for everyone.
Our Board of Directors recently volunteered at the Kansas Food Bank, assisting with packaging for the Food4Kids program. Their hard work resulted in 1,024 weekend food bags, each one destined for students in our local school districts who rely on these meals to help sustain them through the weekend.
This year also marks a milestone for the Food Bank, which opened a new warehouse in Garden City in July 2024. This facility now supports the 31 westernmost counties in Kansas, expanding access to hunger‑relief programs throughout the region. We are proud to partner with an organization whose mission closely aligns with our own.
And we didn't stop there.
On March 31, our employees volunteered at the Kansas Food Bank. This hands‑on opportunity allowed our team to support the Food Bank’s hunger‑relief efforts and contribute to programs that serve families and individuals experiencing food insecurity.
We’re honored to stand alongside organizations making a real difference and even more proud to see both our board and staff living out the principle of Concern for Community with enthusiasm and heart. Together, we’re helping ensure our communities remain supported, nourished, and cared for one volunteer shift at a time.
At the heart of everything we do is a commitment to the Seven Cooperative Principles—guiding values that shape our mission, culture, and connection to the members we serve. This year, we are placing a special focus on the Seventh Cooperative Principle: Concern for Community.
Our commitment to this principle shines through in the ways we invest in our local communities: through volunteer service, financial support, and events that bring people together. When we give back, we help build stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities for everyone.
Our Board of Directors recently volunteered at the Kansas Food Bank, assisting with packaging for the Food4Kids program. Their hard work resulted in 1,024 weekend food bags, each one destined for students in our local school districts who rely on these meals to help sustain them through the weekend.
This year also marks a milestone for the Food Bank, which opened a new warehouse in Garden City in July 2024. This facility now supports the 31 westernmost counties in Kansas, expanding access to hunger‑relief programs throughout the region. We are proud to partner with an organization whose mission closely aligns with our own.
And we didn't stop there.
On March 31, our employees volunteered at the Kansas Food Bank. This hands‑on opportunity allowed our team to support the Food Bank’s hunger‑relief efforts and contribute to programs that serve families and individuals experiencing food insecurity.
We’re honored to stand alongside organizations making a real difference and even more proud to see both our board and staff living out the principle of Concern for Community with enthusiasm and heart. Together, we’re helping ensure our communities remain supported, nourished, and cared for one volunteer shift at a time.