Stronger Connections, Greater Impact.
Meaningful progress in the fight against hunger happens when people come together, share what they’re learning, and find ways to strengthen one another’s work. Across Wyoming, communities are addressing food insecurity in different ways, but the goal remains the same: ensuring our neighbors have access to the food and resources they need to thrive.
Through its statewide network of partners, Wyoming Hunger Initiative helps create connections between the people and organizations working on the front lines of hunger relief. With support from the Hughes Charitable Foundation, the Initiative recently brought local leaders, advocates, and volunteers together for a Regional Summit in Dubois. The gathering offered an opportunity to celebrate what is working, learn from one another, and identify new ways to collaborate. These conversations are an important part of building stronger communities. When we share ideas, resources, and a commitment to serving our neighbors, we expand what is possible—and strengthen Wyoming’s collective response to hunger.
The event kicked off with a volunteer recognition celebration catered by The National Museum of Military Vehicles at their facility in Dubois where hunger relief organizations in west central Wyoming nominated a volunteer from their organization to be recognized. Without the countless volunteers across the county, this work wouldn't be possible.
The following volunteers were recognized at this event:
Airon Kluberton, Pushroot Community Garden
Gary Prtichard, Food Bank of Sweetwater County
Veronica Miller, Food Bank of Wyoming
Bill Ruoff, First Congregational Church Community Garden
Dale Freeman, Heart of Hanna Food Pantry
Ethan and Christine Call, Sinclair Baptist Community Care Team
Salvador Moreno, Helping Hands Day and Beyond
Paula Brown and David Reed, Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen
Ruth Lake, Cent$ible Nutrition Program
Rio Jelaco, Sweetgrass Food Lodge
Mary Ellen, St. Thomas Episcopal Food Bank
We were honored to recognize Mr. Dan Starks, founder of the National Museum of Military Vehicles, for his longstanding partnership and commitment to fighting hunger in Wyoming. An early champion of this work, Dan has consistently stepped forward to support Wyoming families and veterans. In 2021, he helped pay off school meal debt, providing immediate relief to families across the state. He has also been a steadfast supporter of the Veteran Food Card program, helping ensure Wyoming veterans have access to nutritious food. We are especially grateful for his generosity in providing the National Museum of Military Vehicles as a space to gather, connect, and celebrate those making a difference across Wyoming. His generosity and commitment exemplify the spirit of partnership and compassion that makes this work possible.
The next day we got down to business by taking a hard look at what we can do to improve and expand resources for anti-hunger organizations in west central Wyoming. Together, we identified challenges, brainstormed solutions, and developed a list of realistic action items.
The following hunger relief organizations were involved with the Wyoming Hunger Initiative Regional Summit in west central Wyoming.
Carbon County School District #1
Cent$ible Nutrition Program
First Congregational Church Community Garden
Food Bank of Sweetwater County
Food Bank of Wyoming
Hanna Food Pantry
Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen
Pushroot Community Garden
Riverton Senior Center
Shoshoni Senior Center
Sinclair Baptist Community Care Team
St. Thomas Episcopal Church Food Pantry
Sweetgrass Lodge
United Way of Southwest Wyoming
Wind River Food Sovereignty Project
Wyoming Department of Education
Wyoming Food Coalition
Wyoming Indian Elementary and Middle School
Change takes root when people are willing to step forward, work together, and turn shared purpose into action. Every contribution matters, and together those efforts can create a lasting impact across communities.
Lastly, Wyoming Hunger Initiative team members and regional directors traveled to be part of this event. The passion that you see here is what drives the work that Wyoming Hunger Initiative has done and continues to do. Thank you for joining us!
Photo credit: Victoria Lilly Photography
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