By Sierra Mitchell
Afton Food Pantry
When the Pantry opened eight years ago we could have never imagined the growth and impact we would make. We started out with non-perishable items and quickly grew to include commercial fridges and freezers, frozen and fresh items, garden vegetables, farm fresh eggs, hygiene items, diapers and wipes, and more. Due to donors and community members wanting to make a difference, we are able to do extra things around the holidays like offer brand new blankets, fill stockings full of candy, offer up Easter baskets with candy filled eggs, give out school supplies, and more.The Pantry’s largest success continues to be in the partnerships it builds with the community. From the Better Late Than Never shelf at the Afton Library , to working with all the upper valley schools for food drives and holiday help, to partnering with other great agencies like Cent$ible Nutrition and 4-H, and First Lady Jennie Gordon’s Wyoming Hunger Initiative, we have found the strength of working alongside one another to greater our impact.
Another amazing connection was utilizing a dedicated group of volunteers named StarShine run by Erin Gardner. The individuals with StarShine are adults with special abilities. We knew we needed help to tackle all the tasks required to run a non profit food pantry so we reached out and Erin and she instantly offered up her group. This group has been with us since day 1 making bins of food, cleaning the Pantry weekly, helping restock items every week, and so much more. StarShine is truly at the foundation as to how we got started and we wouldn’t be where we are today without their constant and unwavering dedication to fighting hunger.
Still, our most unique partnership is between the Pantry and Senior Capstone classes. Classes come every Tuesday to help volunteer time and effort at the Pantry doing all the day to day tasks, shopping for needed items, stocking shelves and rotating and food, and much much more. In return for their efforts, besides the feel good of giving back, the Pantry helps supply scholarship and recommendation letters. This partnership allows students to stand out on their resume with the addition of community service hours. “What I love about the partnership between the Pantry and Capstone classes is getting the high school seniors to think beyond themselves and make a difference. It just takes a little bit of someone’s time to change the life of someone else. Working alongside young volunteers lets us teach them the importance of serving one another and giving back to your community. It’s so great to watch these high schoolers fill our volunteer slots throughout the year and witness them help someone else who is struggling.” Education about food insecurity continues to be the biggest focus of the Pantry. Food insecurity exists and 1 in 5 people in our community don’t know where their next meal will come from. We constantly strive to break the stigma and let people know that it’s ok to reach out for help if you need it. No one should go to bed on an empty stomach, especially our youth.
We have an incredible community who supports our efforts. We wouldn’t be successful and continue to stay openly weekly if it weren’t for all the donors, volunteers, and this community who believe in our mission and efforts.
To date the Pantry has served over 34,000 individuals in need of food assistance in the last eight years. We have had more than 50,000 volunteer hours put in by groups. Youth under the age of 18 continue to be the largest volunteer force the Pantry has. We have had over 74 4-H animals donated to fill our freezers, we have helped over 12,270 families, and we continue to make an impact for those in need of food assistance weekly. What amazing growth we’ve had thanks to the generosity of an entire community who stands behind us.
