Food pantry deliveries to Basin resume

By: 
Nathan Oster

If last month’s distribution was any indication, the residents of south Big Horn County were excited about the return of the Wyoming Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry following a two-month interruption in deliveries.

“We ran out of boxes, which was pretty eye-opening” said Hannah Stinson, who responded to the Casper Food Bank’s urgent call for someone to oversee the monthly distributions at the Big Horn County fairgrounds in Basin.  “With winter approaching, I can’t imagine the demand for food will decrease.”

The food truck’s next distribution at the Big Horn County fairgrounds in Basin will be Saturday, Nov. 9 at 11 a.m.  In months to come, it will always be on the second Saturday at the same time and location. Community members in need are welcome to line their vehicles up at the north gate of the fairgrounds parking lot; the line will continue around the back side of the arena. 

All households are allowed one box of assorted perishable and nonperishable goods. Community members who cannot pick up food for themselves are allowed to send a proxy. However, each person can only serve as a proxy for one additional home, and a signed proxy form is required from the requesting individual.  Individuals picking up for themselves must provide their name, town and the number of people who live in their home.  Boxes of food are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Stinson said the food truck delivers to Basin and at least a dozen other locations around Wyoming because it lacks a self-sustaining food pantry and is also considered a food desert.

The Wyoming Food Bank typically sends enough food to pack 216 boxes for the Basin distribution. Each box is filled with the same amount of food, which includes perishable and nonperishable items.  The box count for each location is assessed quarterly based on demand, Stinson said.  If demand continues to exceed supply, the Casper warehouse will adjust numbers.

 While anyone can pick up food, the point of the program is to help those with the greatest needs.

“Food banks were originally started as a temporary solution to food insecurity, the Food Bank of Wyoming Mobile Food Pantry provides a solution to a need but ideally a long-term food pantry that serves the towns of Greybull, Basin, Otto, and Burlington would replace the deliveries,” said Stinson. “Because accessing food looks different for everyone and it’s important that help is available for those who need it. Whether you need food or not, we encourage folks to come volunteer from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the morning of distribution to help fill boxes. It’s fun and a great way to get to know your community.”

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