Governor authorizes $10 million to feed Wyo. families

On Oct. 31, Governor Mark Gordon authorized $10 million in state emergency funds to help feed Wyoming families that may be impacted by the government shutdown in Washington. 

The federal SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) funding stopped Nov. 1. 

In Big Horn County 557 individuals and 227 families received SNAP. According to Kelly Douglas, public information officer for the Department of Family Services, 44% of those on SNAP in BHC are birth to 17. Another 13% are seniors aged 60 plus. 

Douglas explained that people should not throw away their EPT cards. Once the program’s funding is restored, the cards will be re-activated and the benefits will be retroactive. The program is administrated by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Wyoming Hunger Relief Program hopes to release emergency food assistance funding. This program will end once SNAP funding is restored. 

Gordon declared “Wyoming will not allow its citizens to go hungry because Washington can’t do its job.” He added, “Food insecurity doesn’t care about political parties.” He was able to authorize the funding by declaring a public welfare emergency. The order directs Wyoming DFS to distribute the money to organizations and churches that have food pantries, food banks or mobile food pantries. 

The governor also issued an executive order that directed the state to restrict the purchase of low nutritional food with SNAP benefits.

“Wyoming taxpayers expect their dollars to support food assistance that helps families put healthy food on the table,” Gov. Gordon said. “SNAP is intended to help feed people, and Wyoming knows how to provide nutritious food. This order will ensure taxpayer funds are used to assist those in need to provide nutritious food for themselves and their family. This EO allows the Director of the Department of Family Services to continue the thoughtful, thorough review resulting in a sensible, implementable waiver for our residents.”

Food Bank of Wyoming’s executive director Danica Sveda sent an email update on November 1 to the Food Bank advisory board. She stated that the Food Bank of Wyoming is doing everything possible to meet the growing need as thousands of Wyoming neighbors are affected by the ongoing SNAP crisis. With federal benefits paused, they are working quickly to keep food flowing into every corner of the state. Thanks to an additional $25,000 in emergency funding from Food Bank of the Rockies, they were able to place credits directly on agency accounts so partners can order food from us at no cost. 

Kay Mattis, who is on the board of the Greybull Community Outreach Thrift Store and Food Pantry in Greybull, said they have not received any additional requests for food directly related to the suspension of SNAP. They have seen an increase in requests for food in general over the past year. Basin Food Pantry board member Charlene echoed what Mattis said.   

First Lady Jennie Gordon held a zoom call early last week to address how the Wyoming Hunger Initiative was going to help make sure families don’t go hungry. “No one should have to wonder where their next meal will come from. Wherever you live in Wyoming, there are local partners ready to lend a hand.” She provided a list of resources to find food assistance OR to explore ways to give where to make a difference in your hometown. That resource list may be found at www.nohungerwyo.org/county-resources.