Cheyenne Frontier Days™ and Wyoming Hunger Initiative partnered up again this year to promote awareness and raise funds for anti-hunger organizations across the state with the third "Wyoming Hunger Initiative" Day at CFD! Cowboys Stompin' Hunger t-shirts were available for sale at all official merchandise outlets at Frontier Park and 100% of the proceeds were donated to Wyoming Hunger Initiative to provide additional resources to anti-hunger organizations statewide. The rodeo community is a deeply caring one, and their passion to look after their friends, family, and neighbors is the same passion that drives anti-hunger warriors across the state.
First Lady Jennie Gordon, Grand Marshal
As part of Wyoming Hunger Initiative Day, the First Lady was invited to serve as parade Grand Marshal and greet thousands of parade-goers through the streets of downtown Cheyenne as well as in the Grand Entry at the Eighth Rodeo Performance.
This work isn't possible without volunteers!
Two of Wyoming Hunger Initiative's outgoing Regional Directors were recognized at the luncheon held at the Governor's Residence as part of the festivities. Regional Directors were chosen by the First Lady to represent a region based on their awareness of food insecurity or role within their community that is directly related to food insecurity. Regional Directors have been assigned multiple surrounding counties to bring a network together to share ideas and voice concerns that may be solved on a regional level or be elevated to Wyoming Hunger Initiative for statewide coordination. A special thanks to Caitlin Youngquist and Ashley Bright for their service in this capacity. We look forward to their next adventures.
Cowboy Channel Coverage
Between an interview with the First Lady and a broadcast reaching audiences all over the world, Wyoming Hunger Initiative received some major coverage on Saturday. Hunger is too often an invisible problem, and we are committed to changing that. Visibility leads to solutions, and Wyoming Hunger Initiative achieved some serious visibility through this partnership!
Cody Sosebee!
Cody Sosebee is one of the top rodeo clowns in the world; see him in action and you'll know why! He wore his Cowboys Stompin’ Hunger shirt during the rodeo on Saturday, bringing even more visibility to the fight to end hunger in Wyoming. We are grateful for his support, and even though he’s an Arkansas guy by address, we know he’s a Wyoming cowboy at heart.
On the big stage
First Lady Jennie Gordon and Governor Mark Gordon chatted with rodeo announcer Garrett Yerigan during the rodeo about the impact of food insecurity and how it affects families across Wyoming, as well as Wyoming Hunger Initiative's mission to support our state's hunger heroes. We know how important it is to get the word out about this too-often invisible problem, and a few minutes on the stage of the largest outdoor rodeo in the world made for a perfect platform! Wyoming Hunger Initiative is thankful for the willingness of the entire Cheyenne Frontier Days™ team to fight food insecurity. Cowboys really do take care of each other, and Cowboys Stompin' Hunger is just another example of that care in action.
Fun Biz Concessions
We teamed up with Fun Biz Concessions on Wyoming Hunger Initiative Day to sell corn dogs where $1 from each corn dog sold was donated to fight food insecurity in Wyoming. Over 5,000 corn dogs were sold but Nate and his family from Fun Biz Concessions rounded up to an even $10,000 as part of their efforts to make a difference in Wyoming. The check presentation took place during the final rodeo performance.
Alexis Drake Scarf Collaboration
We came together last month to launch the 2023 Cowboys Stompin' Hunger scarf in collaboration with Alexis Drake as we kicked off the 127th Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Celebration. A limited number of scarves were ordered for 2023 with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Wyoming Hunger Initiative efforts statewide. A few scarves are left and available online or at the Alexis Drake storefront this week only. Don't miss an opportunity to have the 2023 design!
Visit https://alexisdrake.com/collections/scarves/products/alexis-drake-wyoming-hunger-initiative-scarf to purchase your scarf today!
Pure Dixie Partnership
We also teamed up with Pure Dixie to offer this patch for any Pure Dixie belt, hat, or purse. For every patch purchased, Pure Dixie will donate $10 to Wyoming Hunger Initiative. We love that everyone is coming together to join the fight against food insecurity.
The Wyoming Hunger Initiative Team
The Wyoming Hunger Initiative team includes Board of Directors, Regional Directors, staff, volunteers, and supporters who work tirelessly throughout the year to carry out the mission of Wyoming Hunger Initiative. Sometimes, though, you just need to have a pre-rodeo cookout in the sunshine to celebrate all that hard work!
We invite you to join the fight and help address the increased need currently being experienced by food pantries and anti-hunger organizations in Wyoming, all of which are facing another wave of high demand for services this summer. No amount is too small—every dollar helps.
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