Partner Highlight: Crook County Council of County Services
For more than three decades, whether their need has been short-lived or less temporary, residents of Crook County have known they can count on the Crook County food pantry for a helping hand.
Founded and still run today by the Crook County Council of County Services, the Crook County Food Pantry has served thousands of community members since 1989, from people experiencing homelessness or a loss of a job to older adults and young children.
But while the mission has never changed, the pantry is not the same in every aspect as it was back in 1989. Its location has been consolidated to a single pantry in Sundance, which has made a huge difference to its efficiency and streamlined both services and staffing. The pantry has also grown over the years. The pandemic and economic difficulties, as well as a significant increase to Crook County's population, have left more residents experiencing food insecurity than ever.
This led the Council to expand the range and quantity of food available and to also include fresh fruits and vegetables, partly through the assistance of Food Bank of Wyoming. When winter comes, community members know they can also rely on the pantry to find a warm coat and hat.
The Crook County Food Pantry also extends its hand to other local organizations that share its mission to end hunger within the community. It provides funding to charitable organizations that promote awareness and help youth and older adults in the area, such as Blessings in a Backpack, Post Prom, and sporting organizations that serve underprivileged children.
Just as the pantry supports the county, the community has always rallied to help its pantry continue to flourish. Local donations have formed the bedrock of its funding, ranging from large-scale assistance from partners such as Powder River Energy, Crook County School District, the Church of Latter Day Saints, and Sundance State Bank to smaller — but equally important —donations from individuals, schools, and churches.
The pantry is also associated with Food Bank of Wyoming, the Wyoming Hunger Initiative, and the Grow and Little Extra program through the University of Wyoming Extension Office.
Countless families have benefited from the pantry over the years and will continue to do so into the future. The Crook County Food Pantry’s proudest achievement has been its consistency. As our community continues to grow, the pantry will continue to be a reliable source of support, whenever and for however long it may be needed.
