During the summer, Powell Valley Healthcare served a total of 5,053 meals to local youth. The Summer Food Service Program, coordinated by PVHC, provided nutritious meals from June 1 through Aug. 6 for any child under 18.

“It is always a privilege to be able to participate in these programs to give back to the community,” said Travis Tucker, nutrition services director at PVHC.

Youth don’t need to apply for the meals or “feel like they’re different from any other kid,” he said.

“The fact that it is a no-questions-asked program makes it great so that all kids from all walks of life are included and no one is turned away or refused a meal,” Tucker said.

Once again, two VISTA volunteers helped make the summer program possible. Yogi Sullivan served his first year as a VISTA volunteer with the program, while Gabri Lundberg returned for her fourth year.

“It is always such a privilege to work with our youth in the community and to mentor them into the importance of good healthy nutrition,” Tucker said.

PVHC also partnered with Powell Rec Director Colby Stenerson and the recreation department “to enhance an already amazing summer camp program.” 

“I can’t say enough great things about Powell and how blessed we all are to live in a community that thrives to give our youth so much support,” Tucker said.

The Summer Food Service Program is a federally funded, state-administered program. The program reimburses providers who serve free healthy meals to children and teens during the summer months when school is not in session.

Across the state, the Wyoming Summer Food Service Program — which is offered through the Wyoming Department of Education — served nearly 1 million meals to Wyoming children and teens in 2021.

“We are proud to have been able to keep thousands of Wyoming youth fed from border to border this summer,” said Tamra Jackson, Child Nutrition Programs state director. “We are so thankful for the people who are on the front lines of this program: the people who deliver the breakfasts and lunches to our youth.”

In total, 434,535 breakfasts and 545,615 lunches were served through the summer program, for a total of 980,150 meals.

“Our goal is to get the food to youth who need it, not to concern ourselves with each families’ specific situation,” said Jackson.

(Tessa Baker contributed reporting.)