(KAIR)--An area food pantry is gifted thousands of dollars, courtesy of a local electric cooperative and its primary lender.

According to a news release issued by FreeState Electric Cooperative, more than $10,000 was recently gifted to God's Storehouse, in Meriden.

The $5,000 raised by the cooperative's 81 employees and 11 trustees was matched by primary lender, CoBank.

The funds were generated as part of the annual employee donation drive held to assist local nonprofit organizations.

It was made possible through CoBank's “Sharing Success” program, which matches employee donations dollar-for-dollar.

Monetary and food donations are how the pantry operates, with the assistance from the fundraising effort not only purchasing items for those in need, but also being used to help build a road to access the facility.

God's Storehouse treasurer, Beverly Henry, in the release, says the property near the pantry was sold, meaning a lack of access to the road on that property. She said the funding will help build a needed road, allow for the purchase of food, and provide for the pantry's Christmas family adoption.

FreeState's trustees selected God's Storehouse through an application process, with the board determining in June that the food pantry should be the recipient. Through the summer months, trustees challenged employees to donate to the cause.

The release notes that last year, the pantry served more than 2,000 adults and more than 3,000 children.

FreeState Electrical Cooperative, which has participated in the Sharing Success program for the past seven years, is the largest rural electric cooperative in eastern Kansas, and the fifth largest rural electric cooperative in the state.