Friday, OCTOBER 31, 2025 |
Photo – Medicine Bow Food Pantry info – Courtesy Town of Medicine Bow
State officials have recognized the Medicine Bow Food Pantry for its efforts to combat food scarcity in both Carbon and Albany Counties.
In 2019, Wyoming First Lady Jennie Gordon launched the Wyoming Hunger Initiative to address food insecurity across the Cowboy State. Recently, First Lady Gordon honored Medicine Bow Food Pantry volunteers Vicki Kelly and her husband, Dale, for their ongoing dedication to feeding their community.
In a written statement to Bigfoot99, Vicki Kelly stated that the award was meant to honor the whole food pantry, not any single volunteer. Kelly added that Medicine Bow Food Pantry founder Lucy Schofield’s name should have been on the plaque, as she has poured her heart and soul into the organization.
Speaking to Bigfoot reporter Matt Copeland, Lucy Schofield said her volunteers are the most important part of the Medicine Bow Food Pantry. After fighting through reems of red tape, Schofield was able to found the northern Carbon County food bank in June of 2022.
The organization began in the Medicine Bow Community Center but quickly outgrew the space and moved into a larger building thanks to a generous offer from the local electricity cooperative, High Plains Power.
The food bank is now located at 213 Maple Street in Medicine Bow. Schofield said the Wyoming Hunger Initiative has supported the Medicine Bow Food Pantry since its inception, with First Lady Gordon personally donating a quarter of beef.
The Medicine Bow Food Pantry receives weekly deliveries from the nonprofit Food Bank of Wyoming, in Evansville. Schofield said items not included in those deliveries must be purchased using donated funds.
The food pantry is open three days a week. Schofield said her organization provides aid to approximately 60 families from northeastern Carbon and western Albany Counties.
Founder Lucy Schofield encouraged everyone in need to visit the Medicine Bow Food Pantry. Schofield said community members only need to sign a logbook and take what their families can use.
Due to the ongoing government shutdown, families who rely on federal food assistance programs may not receive their November SNAP benefits. Schofield said she expects a surge in food requests and is prepared to distribute items originally intended for Thanksgiving.
Additionally, the Medicine Bow Food Pantry will host a silent auction at the C-Spear Restaurant on November 22nd, featuring a variety of donated and handmade items. Schofield said money raised during the event will be used to restock the food pantry’s shelves.
Schofield said she’s committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure that residents of Medicine Bow and the surrounding communities have access to free food, adding that the pantry is open to everyone, regardless of where they live or how much money they make.
The Medicine Bow Food Pantry is located at 213 Maple Street and is open Monday from noon to 3:00 p.m., Wednesday from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., and Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. For more information about the food bank, donations, or volunteering, call Lucy Schofield at 299-6643.
