CHEYENNE — The need for access to food can be seen across several demographics in the state of Wyoming. To alleviate that stress, several charitable groups in Cheyenne will sponsor a food drive this Saturday, Aug. 24.
One in seven adults in the Equality State faces hunger, and one in five Wyoming children is estimated to face hunger regularly.
“While food banks are not the long-term solution to the problem of food insecurity in Cheyenne, they are an important stop-gap and are heavily relied on by individuals in our community,” according to a press release advertising the food drive.
Sponsored by the local Kiwanis, Lions, Rotary, Rotaract and Zonta Clubs, the food drive will run Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Albertsons on Yellowstone Road, King Soopers and Safeway. Donations will go to Laramie County Community College’s FNBO Food Pantry and Veterans’ Rock.
A list of high-demand items will be available at each collection point, according to the press release. Volunteers are looking to gather nonperishable food donations; cash is not being sought, but cash donations will go to purchasing items on the list in low supply at the end of the food drive.
This is the food drive’s third consecutive year, with last year’s event collecting an estimated two tons of food.
“The clubs hope to collect at least that much this year, given that the demand for assistance has increased,” according to the press release.
LCCC
Though college students are often viewed as a financially stable demographic, that doesn’t eliminate the need for a food pantry on campus.
Of the students who utilized the pantry last academic year, 60% were Pell Grant eligible, 40% were first-generation students, 35% were nontraditional students, and over 25% of students using the pantry had children of their own to care for, according to LCCC Student Engagement Coordinator Ashley Garhart.
“Everybody needs food just to survive, but then they really need food to thrive, to get through college and help them be successful,” Garhart said. “After they’re done here, that helps them go into the community, become professionals and help out our economy. But it really starts here in their education.”
For Garhart and her colleague, LCCC Pathways Coordinator and Cheyenne Rotary Club member Carole Boughton, the food drive is really about supporting students’ minds and bodies through their academic journey.
“We hear (students) in our classes talk about how, ‘If I have to choose between getting school supplies for me or my kids, I choose my kids.’ They do it all the time,” Boughton said.
LCCC was instrumental in beginning this food drive three years ago, and hopes to see the food drive thrive as they are seeing an increase in need locally that reflects a statewide increase in need, Boughton told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle.
“We live in a very, very generous community,” Boughton said. “(People should) know that the food is being collected, (and) it’s being diligently dispersed to high-need areas in our community.”
Those wanting to help outside of Saturday’s food drive can always donate to the food bank or go shopping off of the foodbank Amazon wish list. More information can be found at lccc.wy.edu/life/foodPantry.aspx .
Veterans’ Rock
Veterans’ Rock serves veterans and their families, no matter where they are at with their service.
A part of their mission statement states, “They fought (for) our freedom; now we must help them live free of everyday burdens in small, but impactful ways.” Among their many services, founder Cindy Stockdale and Executive Director Daryl Hogan know that food is a part of those everyday burdens.
“They’re very thankful,” Stockdale said. “We see a few tears now and then. They’re shocked that they can come here and get what they need for free.”
The food drive will help Veterans’ Rock continue to help veterans, Hogan said.
“We are all privately funded here at Veterans’ Rock. We don’t have any kind of government grants or anything at this point,” Hogan said. “Anything that we get donated for the community helps out immensely.”
When veterans first come to the food pantry, they fill out an intake form to best allocate their resources based on need, Hogan told the WTE. Some veterans have families to feed, others need furniture for their first apartment out of active-duty service. Some just need a shower and clean clothes.
Veterans’ Rock has clothes, hygiene supplies, furniture, a washer and dryer, and has even been able to give away cars to veterans in need. As far as food goes, shelf-stable items like canned meats, canned fruits and ravioli are very popular.
“Something that they can also open and not have to cook,” Hogan explained. “They (can) just open the can of ravioli and eat it because it’s already pre-cooked. They don’t have to worry about warming it up.”
The community will be gathering at Veterans’ Rock at 605 South Greeley Highway on Saturday, unloading donations. Those volunteers will include members of the Central High School football team.
“Most of our volunteers (are younger). We’re a little bit older, and our knees are going out,” Hogan joked to the WTE. “It’s always good to get the young kids in here to help us out.”
Those wanting to help outside of Saturday’s food drive can subscribe to the Veterans’ Rock newsletter to be notified of high-demand items as they change. More information can be found veteransrockchey.org .
Both food banks have benefited from the Wyoming Hunger Initiative and the Food from the Field program, which gives their communities access to wild game. Both groups told the WTE that they are incredibly grateful to Wyoming first lady Jenny Gordon for her efforts to alleviate hunger in the state.
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