◆ Shelves are stocked, individuals and families helped.

Thursday, April 2 volunteers gathered at the National Guard Readiness Center in Afton to unload and distribute 24,000 pounds of food to over 250 patrons in Star Valley.

“The food was from the Governor’s wife’s Hunger Initiative,” said Julie Buckley of the Thayne Food Bank. “There was no other corporate sponsor.”

The food arrived on a Food Bank of the Rockies/Feed America semi-truck as a community mobile food pantry delivery.

“There was canned food, fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy,” said Buckley. “Close to 20 volunteers from the valley participated. Thank You to the Readiness Center staff for allowing the Mobile Pantry to be held at the center. It was a wonderful success.”

Saturday, April 4 kicked off the “Love Thy Neighbor Pandemic Food Drive” in Star Valley. Area residents were asked to donate food items or money if they could to help stock shelves at the local food banks.

“The food banks anticipate an increase in patron participation as Wyoming heads into its ‘peak’ of the COVID-19 and for period of time after due to lost work and wages,” said Buckley. “Many new patrons have been welcomed to the food banks.”

The four-day food drive saw the Star Valley Community rally to support the Afton Food Pantry, Thayne Food Bank and Alpine Food Bank.

“The food drive for the Pantry was a huge success,” said Sierra Mitchell of the Afton Food Pantry. “Our shelves are restocked with the most needed items and all monetary donations will be used to keep our shelves full for as long as the effects of Covid-19 are here — plus some! With all the monetary donations, the Afton Food Pantry will be able to purchase exactly what we need the most. With what was given, we will be able to carry a high number of families for several months. We are thankful for all the donations.”

According to Buckley, the Thayne Food Bank was also the recipient of a tremendous outpouring of generosity.

“A great amount of food was donated and received in all of Star Valley at the two drop sites: Thayne Food Bank and Afton Food Pantry,” she said. “Additional funds have been received so all three food banks (including Alpine Food Bank) will be able to shop for food to fill the shelves. Many businesses responded as well to many individuals and families. We are blessed to live in such a generous valley — truly neighbors are watching out for neighbors.”

• Thayne Food Bank Hours of Operation
“The Thayne Food Bank is happy to announce that it is re-opening per a brief suspension,” said Buckley. “It re-opened Friday, April 10. We are looking forward to being open this Friday, April 17. And then we will be open every other week.”

Thayne Food Bank dates for the coming weeks are: April 17, May 1, May 15, and May 29.

“We will be following a curbside model,” Buckley said. “Patrons are asked to park in the North parking lot of the Thayne Community Center and volunteers will come to them. We have expanded our ‘outside’ volunteer base to be the runners in and out of the building.”

Veterans Hour at the Thayne Food Bank has been suspended until further notice.

“All Star Valley Veterans are invited to come to the Thayne Food Bank when we are open per our new schedule,” Buckley said. “Let us serve you!”

• Afton Food Pantry Update
“We have received such amazing support,” Mitchell said. “We have had all different churches reach out to us. We were lucky enough to get one of the first mobile food pantries because of Mrs. Gordon, the community rallied around to once again support us in fighting hunger within our community. It’s been incredible to see the graciousness come in in so many ways.”

“We’ve had businesses step up a donate money, businesses step up and refill the freezers with meat. We had a donor purchase over 150 loaves of bread to be made fresh by the local bakery. We’ve had many of our youth step up and offer helping hands as well as encouraging their parents to donate — understanding the importance of what we do because they have come and volunteered. We’ve had families donate cases of potatoes. Easter baskets with treats and toys were prepared. Its been simply incredible to see it all come in. We are in awe of the support given.”

“We know families and individuals are going through difficult times,” Mitchell continued. “We know the uncertainty is scary. We are here to help. Anyone who comes to us will be served. We have it to give because it has been given. We cannot thank the community enough for once again supporting in the mission of the Pantry. It’s because of continued support that we can continue to fight hunger in our community.”