Shortening the Line: How and When Low-Income Households Access Resources
Food brings people together, and food distribution can be a conduit to aligning neighbors with other quality programs, clinics, and assistance resources in your community. How great would it be to increase your team's impact and connect your neighbors with the additional assistance they need to thrive? By helping neighbors find other organizations that offer assistance such as support for rent, utilities, job training, financial literacy, and more, you can actually help “shorten the line.”
We know that some of our neighbors do all they can to work, keep their housing, and pay utility bills. It’s only after months of trying to make ends meet via fixed expenses and cutting back on groceries (because, generally, food is the most flexible expense) that they will begin to look for food assistance. Thankfully, food assistance is readily available in most Wyoming communities. Pantries and soup kitchens can be a vital source of information for our neighbors. Sometimes it is hard to ask for help, but once neighbors have a relationship with your organization, you can connect them to other resources. An easy way to start is to have contact information on hand for those other resources. And vice versa: make sure other resources in your area have your information! Food brings people together and, by working with other community organizations, together we can shorten the lines at our pantries. |
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Important Dates
May 11 - NALC National Food Drive May 27 - Memorial Day; Food Bank of Wyoming is closed
July 1 - Beginning of fiscal year 2025 July 4 - Independence Day; Food Bank of Wyoming is closed We are thankful for your partnership, hard work, and dedication to helping Wyoming communities. All adjusted delivery dates are listed on your updated Truck Routes, which will be emailed to your team in early March. |
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As some of you know, Myriam Wolcott’s last day at Food Bank of Wyoming was March 1. We are grateful for Myriam’s dedication to Food Bank of Wyoming and our Hunger Relief Partners over these past five years. While we are sad to see her leave, we wish her the very best in her next endeavor.
Rebecca Travers has stepped up to be our interim head for the Programs Team. During the past nine months, Rebecca has been serving as the programs project manager and has built valuable relationships with many of our Hunger Relief Partners and programs. Her strong leadership skills and statewide network will help enhance this team immensely.
Food Bank of Wyoming is dedicated to providing exceptional support to you and your organization during this transition period. Should you have any questions or need assistance, please continue to reach out to the Help Desk at helpdesk@wyomingfoodbank.org
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We've Got Wyoming Covered - Thanks to You!
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Above is a map of areas covered by the Vivery Platform.
At the end of 2023, Food Bank of Wyoming launched a new Find Food Map powered by Vivery. Our partnership also means that our entire network of agencies can now access a number of new opportunities. -
If you serve the public, you can search for your location profile on the map: wyomingfoodbank.org/find-food.
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If you serve only your clients and not the general public, there is still a lot of functionality available through this platform; reach out to the Vivery Support Team via their website manager.vivery.org/KnowledgeBase
If you haven't claimed your profile, check your inbox for your Vivery welcome email today! By claiming your profile, you gain access to all of Vivery's tools. You'll be able to easily update hours of operation, share information on your food distribution, and highlight non-food programs. Other features include free text messaging to share important updates with staff, clients, volunteers, and other constituents, as well as an automated website powered by the information in your profile. Your log-in page will even have links to useful Food Bank of Wyoming resources.
Watch the Vivery Quick Start Webinar and claim your profile today! |
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Partner Spotlight: Kemmerer Area Food Bank
Since Kemmerer Area Food Bank began partnering with Food Bank of Wyoming in 2011, they have distributed more than 256,000 pounds of food to their community. That’s enough food for almost 207,000 meals!
Nestled in the basement of the Episcopal Church, Karen Wallentine has been running the pantry for the last six years. With a great core group of four volunteers, they serve their customers on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month. The pantry can also be accessed via scheduled appointments. For the less independently mobile, the city bus brings individuals directly to the pantry for shopping, and volunteers provide homebound individuals with delivery upon request.
Amazon hasn’t got a thing on this team! Pantry volunteers provide order forms to clients, who mark the items they need for the next two weeks. While the pantry’s patron waits outside, the volunteer takes the order form and guests are invited to grab "freebie" items off the tables, when available. The loading zone is very well marked with cones, and the volunteers help load up each vehicle with the desired groceries. During the holiday months, the staff helps provide a Thanksgiving dinner box and a Christmas breakfast box to clients.
With the help of the CARES Act and Food Bank of Wyoming, Kemmerer Area Food Bank has been able to double their freezer and cooler capacity to better serve their clients! They also work directly with Ridley's and other organizations in the community to get food drives together. Lastly, the pantry has partnered with Maverick as part of Food Bank of Wyoming's Food Rescue Program. All these resources help the staff provide a great experience for their neighbors!
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April is Volunteer Appreciation Month
Volunteers are the backbone of Food Bank of Wyoming. And volunteers play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth functioning of your food distribution process, too. Acknowledging the efforts of your volunteers can boost morale and foster a sense of community and commitment. Here are some effective strategies to show appreciation to the invaluable volunteers who dedicate their time to lessening hunger across Wyoming. - Recognition: One of the most effective ways to appreciate volunteers is through regular recognition and acknowledgment.
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Thank Publicly: Take the time to publicly thank volunteers during meetings, in newsletters, or on social media. Highlight their contributions and connect those to client success stories to demonstrate the positive impact of their efforts.
Personalized Thank-You Notes: Sending handwritten personalized thank-you notes is a thoughtful gesture that can go a long way in making volunteers feel valued. Include specific details about their contributions and express gratitude for their dedication to show that you genuinely appreciate the efforts of each volunteer. -
Celebrate Milestones: Take the time to celebrate the milestones and anniversaries of your volunteers. Whether it's their first month or fifth year of service, acknowledge their dedication with a certificate of appreciation, a group gathering, or a social media shout-out.
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Offer Perks and Incentives: Consider offering small perks or incentives as a token of gratitude. This could include discounts at local businesses, exclusive volunteer events, or recognition through a volunteer of the month program. These incentives add a layer of excitement and recognition to the volunteer experience.
Creating a culture of appreciation is key to retaining volunteers. Ensure that your volunteers feel valued, recognized, and motivated to continue their crucial work of nourishing our neighbors. Remember, a well-appreciated volunteer is not only a helper for a day, but a committed partner for years to come. |
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Reading Your Truck Route Sheet
Here is another look at how to read your Truck Route Sheets. In the January newsletter, we highlighted the information that your team should know before your delivery. In this issue, we are reviewing information that your finance/bookkeeping team will need to know.
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Spring Holiday Food Purchases
Have you checked your scheduled delivery dates and planned for March's spring break and Easter needs? |
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Inclement Weather Closure Process
It's March in Wyoming and Food Bank of Wyoming may have to make closure determinations. These will be posted on our website, social media, and phone messaging system. Please refer to the following additional notifications: -
For Scheduled Fresh Food Center Pick-Ups: Day of Closure
- Partners will be contacted for rescheduling opportunities.
- For Scheduled Deliveries: Day of Closure
- HelpDesk will contact partners about a canceled delivery.
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Deliveries will be rescheduled as soon as the weather permits and per the schedule, as communicated by the Logistics Manager.
- Food Bank of Wyoming's HelpDesk will communicate with affected partners.
Please ensure the necessary accommodations are in place for volunteers and clients. |
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Help Desk
helpdesk@WyomingFoodBank.org 307-265-2172
Staff monitor this phone number and email address and direct questions to the appropriate departments/people to ensure a fast resolution. |
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Bookmark our Recipe Library!
We know the importance of connecting our neighbors with quality, nutritious foods. But sometimes making meals can be daunting. Supporting the health and hope of our communities involves more than providing food; we also want to provide knowledge. Your guests can find some easy, nourishing recipes that use everyday ingredients on our website.
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| Cliff is retired after working his whole life doing jobs that were near or just above minimum wage. “I did whatever I could,” he said. “I worked the jobs no one wanted. I had to get by as cheaply as I could.” Currently, Cliff's monthly income is around $500 – barely enough to cover his bills, let alone buy nourishing food. To make ends meet, he gets food from Joshua's Storehouse in Casper, a Hunger Relief Partner of Food Bank of Wyoming, twice a month. “I don’t know if I could survive without a food pantry,” he said. “By coming here, I can save a lot of money." |
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Do you know someone looking for a meaningful career where they can create a positive impact in our Wyoming communities? Food Bank of Wyoming is growing, and we are looking for some amazing people to join our team! Please click here to learn more |
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| Insights on Food Date Codes & Food Waste |
Food date codes are confusing and may lead to food waste. We have some information you can share with your staff, volunteers, and clients to reduce waste. This Food Date Codes PDF has been created for you to share. |
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There are no early closures or holidays
for the month of March 2024. |
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This institution is an equal opportunity provider. |
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