WCTEL received $10,000 grant from CoBank to support local food banks  

Area food pantries just received a boost, thanks to a partnership between WCTEL and CoBank. Through CoBank’s Sharing Success Program, WCTEL’s recent $10,000 donation to area food banks was doubled, resulting in $20,000 in contributions to area food pantries. CoBank is a major private credit provider for rural economies. With these funds, WCTEL was able to support six food banks across its service territories:  

• United Christian Ministries of Abbeville County (UCMAC)  
• Helping Hands of McCormick  
• Greenwood County Food Bank  
• The Iva Community Food Pantry  
• Living Hope Food Bank in Newberry  
• The Veterans Center in Greenwood  

WCTEL has a history of supporting area food pantries through its Give Big Get Gig seasonal initiative. Each November, customers who drop off at least three nonperishable food items to any WCTEL or WCFIBER office receives a free “speed boost” to its premium 1 Gig service during the month of December. (Current Gig customers receive a gift in liue of the boost.)  

“It’s a blessing to be able to give such a generous amount to each of these local food banks,” says Jeff Wilson, WCTEL CEO. “We have a lot of need in our communities, and the grant from CoBank allowed us the opportunity to provide many more individuals with food.” 

About CoBank: 

CoBank is one of the largest private providers of credit to the U.S. rural economy. The bank delivers loans, leases and other financial services to agribusiness, rural infrastructure and Farm Credit customers in all 50 states.