Hunger Action Month: Top 5 Ways to Fight Hunger in Cheyenne

In Laramie County, nearly 1 in 10 of our neighbors and 1 in 8 children are experiencing food insecurity. (Source: Feeding America Map the Meal Gap Study)

At Food Bank of Wyoming, we take action against hunger in our community every day, week, and month of the year. With September being Hunger Action Month®, we’re extending this call to action to each of you. Whether it’s through a monetary donation or the donation of time through volunteering, every dollar and hour counts in answering the challenge.

Here are five ways to maximize your efforts to nourish your community this Hunger Action Month®.

1. The most powerful way to help your neighbors? Give financially.

Volunteer working at an outdoor mobile food pantry — Food Bank of Wyoming has 18+ mobile pantries, each run by volunteers. Consider volunteering at a mobile pantry in your community today! // Photo by Caitlyn Barnett

During Hunger Action Month® in September, Powder River Energy Foundation, with the support of Powder River Energy Corporation, CoBank, and Basin Electric, is offering to match any financial gift you make to Food Bank of Wyoming up to $25,000. Your “doubled” generosity can do twice as much to help feed people facing hunger in this time of great need.

With this matching gift, every $1 donated will enable Food Bank of Wyoming to provide enough food for six meals to individuals experiencing food insecurity in Wyoming. Whether you choose to give in honor or memory of someone, through a one-time or monthly gift, or as part of your estate plan, 96 cents of every dollar you donate goes directly into the programming that brings us one step closer to putting an end to food insecurity in our state. Consider donating today.

2. Raise your voice for those experiencing food insecurity

community members receiving nourishing food at a mobile food pantry location — Make giving back to your community a team effort and organize a group volunteer session at a mobile pantry or our distribution center. // Photo by Caitlyn Barnett

No one should have to worry about where their next meal is going to come from. Raise your voice and send a message to your representative in Congress. Members of Congress make key decisions about the federal nutrition programs that directly impact our neighbors suffering from hunger. Right now, donations from federal commodity food programs are down 50-75% each month, which significantly impacts Food Bank of Wyoming’s ability to get nourishing food to the one in eight Wyomingites projected to face food insecurity this year. Reach out to your senators and representative and ask them to say “yes” to policies that will put more food on more tables.

3. Create a Virtual Hunger Action Month® Food Drive

An outdoor, mobile food pantry in Wyoming — 1 in 9 individuals in Wyoming are experiencing food insecurity, according to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study. Every dollar and hour donated helps bring us one step closer to ending hunger for good. // Photo by Caitlyn Barnett

A virtual food drive is a great way to ensure your financial gift goes further because we’re able to take every dollar donated and use it to buy food at wholesale or lower costs. Make it a group bonding activity! Ask loved ones, friends, and coworkers to join you. Create a contest and see who can raise the most. It’s effective, secure, and convenient to create a virtual food drive on our website.

4. Volunteer Your Time

a person loading boxes of food into a car at a mobile food pantry in WY — Hunger Action Month® comes once a year, but hunger never ceases for thousands of our neighbors. Your support helps us bring more food to more people every single day. // Photo by Caitlyn Barnett

If means are limited this year and you’re unable to donate money, consider volunteering with us. With the increased need for food in our community, your support is invaluable. We need individuals and groups to help us provide food to people facing food insecurity. Sign up to volunteer today!

5. Sharing is Caring

a child in car seat at a mobile food pantry in WY — Food Bank of Wyoming puts every dollar donated to use to provide Wyomingites facing hunger with nutritious food every day. // Photo by Caitlyn Barnett

Do you know someone who is in need of food assistance? We are here to support our community by providing nourishing food, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and more. Please direct them to our website to find a food distribution near them or by calling 307-265-2172.

We are so grateful for your support during Hunger Action Month® and beyond. Thank you for nourishing our community and ensuring everyone has access to nutritious food for themselves and their loved ones. We could not do this work without you.

Thank you to Powder River Energy Foundation, with the support of Powder River Energy Corporation, CoBank, and Basin Electric, for your generosity in sponsoring this Matching Gift opportunity!