Addressing Food Insecurity

Food insecurity has become a major issue all across Wyoming. WYO HELP has designated food insecurity as a major focus this year and the upcoming year. We will look to improve our existing pantry, open new pantries, or partner with existing food pantries in the counties we serve.
The current inflation realities have left many families unable to buy enough food and this is especially true of senior citizens. We invite you to partner with us to fight hunger in Wyoming. The following is data for the 6 counties we serve. Please note that the data is from 2020.

Carbon County
Total Estimated Food Insecure Population - 1,620
Food Insecurity Rate - 10.7%
Estimated Population Eligible for SNAP  - 51%
Average Meal Cost - $3.47
Estimated Food Budget Shortfall for County - $906,000.
Crook County
Total Estimated Food Insecure Population - 680
Food Insecurity Rate - 9.1%
Estimated Population Eligible for SNAP  - 39%
Average Meal Cost - $3.37
Estimated Food Budget Shortfall for County - $369,000
Goshen County
Total Estimated Food Insecure Population - 1,390
Food Insecurity Rate - 10.4%
Estimated Population Eligible for SNAP  - 43%
Average Meal Cost - $3.07
Estimated Food Budget Shortfall for County - $686,000.

Niobrara County
Total Estimated Food Insecure Population - 340
Food Insecurity Rate - 14.4%
Estimated Population Eligible for SNAP  - 51%
Average Meal Cost - $3.07
Estimated Food Budget Shortfall for County - $168,000.
Washakie County
Total Estimated Food Insecure Population - 840
Food Insecurity Rate - 10.6%
Estimated Population Eligible for SNAP  - 46%
Average Meal Cost - $3.41
Estimated Food Budget Shortfall for County - $461,000.
Weston County
Total Estimated Food Insecure Population - 760
Food Insecurity Rate - 11%
Estimated Population Eligible for SNAP  - 49%
Average Meal Cost - $3.37
Estimated Food Budget Shortfall for County - $413,000.

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There has been an approximate 10% to 15% increase in the cost of food from the time this report was compiled. We expect that this means that food insecurity has increased as well. 
What is WYO HELP doing to support food insecurity issues?
We will be hosting community meetings in our 6 counties this summer to invite food pantries, churches, businesses, elected officials, and other interested parties to work together to best identify how to fully support people who are hungry. 
We are opening a new food pantry in Rawlins Wyoming, adapting our operations slightly in Torrington Wyoming, and working to provide additional resources in our other 4 counties as we work to identify how to best address hunger.
We won't be able to do it alone. No solution will work unless many different people work together to make it happen. We hope you will join us in addressing hunger.