Commitment to Community

1 of the ways cooperatives differ from for-profit businesses is our adherence to the 7 Cooperative Principles, which represent values that reflect social and community values and local business concerns.

Cooperative Principle number 7, Commitment to Community, matters to Columbia REA because our members are at the heart of everything we do. Columbia REA was founded in part to improve the quality of life for the people we serve. For that reason, we don’t just deliver electricity; we invest in programs and initiatives that strengthen the communities our members call home, from supporting local schools, youth programs, and food banks, to promoting economic growth and non-profit organizations with missions that align with Columbia REA’s history of supporting the communities we serve.

For example, food banks play a critical role in Walla Walla and the surrounding areas, where many families face food insecurity. Rising costs and limited access to nutritious meals mean local efforts like the Blue Mountain Action Council’s (BMAC) Food Assistance program are essential. BMAC collects and distributes millions of pounds of food each year through pantries and mobile markets.

As we wrapped up 2025, Columbia REA was able to support several local food banks with a financial donation. The money will be used to purchase food for families struggling with food insecurity in Walla Walla, Columbia County, and the Burbank area.