With the federal government and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program at a standstill last fall, the State of Wyoming filled in to help needy families get food.

Alongside efforts by private donors, Gov. Mark Gordon sent $2.4 million of emergency funds to Wyoming food pantries in the first part of November — including nearly $72,000 to organizations in Park County.

“These were extraordinary circumstances that required immediate action,” Gordon said in a Dec. 23 statement. “When federal benefits were delayed, Wyoming stepped up to make sure Wyoming families didn’t go hungry.”

He said the effort “reflects Wyoming at its best,” noting the joint efforts of state agencies, nonprofits, churches and volunteers.

Grants awarded in Park County included:

$18,448 to Cody Cupboard;

$17,652 to American Legion Post 26 in Powell;

$14,306 to Manna House in Cody;

$11,676 to Powell Valley Loaves and Fishes;

$5,160 St. John’s Episcopal Church in Powell;

$2,444 to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Powell; and

$2,258 to the Meeteetse Community Cupboard.

Recipients were directed to purchase “nutritional, healthy food.” In a recent report recapping the state’s Hunger Relief Program, the Wyoming Department of Family Services says some organizations were able to use the money to buy different and better quality commodities, including meat and fresh produce and dairy products. For example, the Food Bank of Wyoming purchased beef from Wyoming ranchers.

While the temporary assistance was appreciated, the report from Family Services quotes organizations as saying that “an influx of participants and the general high need were difficult to keep up with, especially during the government shutdown.” 

Some organizations ran out of food, some struggled with a lack of volunteers or didn’t have enough space to store the goods. Additionally, the report quotes the Food Bank of Wyoming saying the influx of food orders created a backlog that will likely last through at least February.

More than 26,000 Wyomingites were receiving SNAP benefits as of September — a roughly 7% drop from the prior year, according to federal statistics. However, Gordon said the number of people struggling with food insecurity is on the rise.

“I hope Wyomingites across the state know that their neighbors still need them,” he said.

The state’s full report on the Relief Program is available at tinyurl.com/27kvw475.