September 26, 2022 |
This is the last week of September but there’s still time to take action against hunger. Saratoga Mayor Creed James last week proclaimed September as Hunger Action Month.
At the September 20th meeting, Mayor James read a letter from the Wyoming Food Bank urging the public to be aware of, and help, those in need.
Every year, the Food Bank of Wyoming provides over nine million meals. Our state’s size makes it especially challenging for rural members of our communities to have reliable access to food. Mayor James encouraged the public to donate food, or their time, to combat hunger.
Carbon County is home to over 15,000 people. Mayor James said the Food Bank of Wyoming assists the 12 percent of our population who suffer from food insecurity.
Sarah Glandt, the AmeriCorps Food Security Ambassador for the Food Bank of Wyoming, attended the meeting to show her organization’s appreciation of the council bringing awareness to this issue.
Pictured above: Photo courtesy Food Bank of Wyoming.
The Food Bank of Wyoming is part of the largest food distribution organization in the Rocky Mountain region. Through donations, and their partner programs, they distribute meals to a sixth of Wyoming’s residents.
Residents of Saratoga can receive food donations from the Saratoga Food Pantry. Located at 112 Bridge Ave, Suite E, the pantry is open on the first Tuesday of the month, from 4 – 5 p.m., and the first and fourth Saturday, from 10:00 am – 11:00 am. They are the local arm of the Food Bank of Wyoming.
Started in 2001, the entirely volunteer staff helps around 15 families a month. They have pre-made boxes of food for families of specific sizes. Visitors to the Food Pantry also receive a $10 voucher to Valley Foods for produce and dairy.
Local churches donate a majority of the food. There is a basket set up in Valley Foods for people to give items to the Pantry. Many individuals give money. Ranchers provide fresh meat. The Wyoming Hunger Initiative’s Food from the Field program recently donated over 400 pounds of elk, antelope, and deer.
Gene Smith is the Pastor at Platte Valley Christian Center Assembly of God and a volunteer at the Saratoga Food Pantry. He explained what the pantry is for.
With winter approaching, the food pantry is expecting more people to need their help. Wanda Snell, another Saratoga Food Pantry volunteer, said not to feel bad about needing help.
The Saratoga Food Pantry has food and toiletries. They don’t ask for any information, except your name and phone number.
