(Beloit, Kan.) – Central Valley Ag, Farmway Credit Union and Rolling Hills Electric Cooperative will celebrate National Co-op Month by hosting the 29th Annual Co-opportunity Day Community Picnic on Friday, Oct. 2, in Beloit.
The free community picnic will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rolling Hills Electric Co-op, 3075 U.S. Highway 24. The event is open to the entire community.
For nearly three decades, the annual gathering has brought the three local cooperatives together to celebrate the cooperative business model and give back to the community they serve. This year’s event will once again include a food drive benefiting the Mitchell County Food Pantry.
“Co-opportunity Day is a great example of what cooperatives are all about – people coming together to strengthen the communities we call home,” said Joe Deneke of Farmway Credit Union. “We look forward to this event every year and appreciate the opportunity to visit with our neighbors while supporting an organization that makes a real difference for local families.”
Guests are encouraged to bring a food pantry item to donate when they attend the picnic. The Mitchell County Food Pantry has shared an urgent need for donations and is encouraging healthier options when possible, including low-fat, low- or no-salt and low-sugar selections. The pantry cannot except expired food, opened containers or dented or damaged items.
Items especially needed in October include instant potatoes, canned soup, canned beans, canned tuna, canned chicken, canned tomatoes, fruit juice, tomato sauce, saltine crackers, bar soap and detergent.
“Cooperatives have a long history of working together to meet local needs, and Co-opportunity Day puts that principle into action,” said Lisa Colson of Rolling Hills Electric Co-op. “We’re proud to welcome the community to our facility again this year and hope everyone will join us for lunch, and if they are able, bring an item to help stock the Mitchell County Food Pantry.”
The picnic is part of the organizations’ celebration of National Co-op Month, observed each October to recognize cooperatives and the members and communities they serve. The three organizations have held the Beloit event together for many years.
“Co-opportunity Day is special because it brings the cooperative principle of concern for community to life right here in Beloit,” said Mallory Shoemaker of Central Valley Ag. “While our three cooperatives serve our members in different ways, we share a commitment to the people and communities we serve. Celebrating together while supporting the Mitchell County Food Pantry is a meaningful way to demonstrate that commitment.”
The 29th annual Co-opportunity Day Community Picnic will be held Friday, Oct. 2, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rolling Hills Electric Cooperative in Beloit. Lunch is free, and the entire community is invited to stop by, enjoy a meal or grab lunch to go. Guests are encouraged to bring a food pantry item to donate to the Mitchell County Food Pantry.