Roughly 400 people attend SVI fundraiser

The Star Valley Community showed up in a big way once again last week to support the Afton Food Pantry. SVI Media, in conjunction with the food pantry and several local businesses, hosted a hamburger lunch BBQ with every dollar raised given directly to the pantry. In just two hours, a total of $7965.79 was raised. 

“Today the Afton Food Pantry was blessed by a community way more than we thought it would be. Today we watched businesses offer up helping hands and donations to provide a meal that would benefit the Pantry with much needed financial donations,” stated Sierra Mitchell, Director of the Afton Food Pantry and Regional Director of the Wyoming Hunger Initiative, following the fundraiser. “Even through the high heat, volunteers and businesses stood grilling hamburgers, serving lunch, and helping us make a difference for so many families. As we counted the donations this evening we are humbled and grateful and so incredibly thankful for all those that helped serve or provided the food and those that came out today to eat.”

Joining SVI Media in the effort were several local businesses. The Bank of Star Valley donated their two grills and staff to cook the hamburgers. Valley Market donated all the hamburger patties and buns. The Town of Afton provided picnic tables for guests to eat on. Tanner Crook set up an online payment portal for one time or recurring donations. Several other businesses donated employees and/or money to help cook and serve, including First Bank, Assist 2 Sell, Northern Title, Hastings Ace Hardware, Rocky Mountain Yeti, Skyview Lanes & Cineplex, Silver Star, Hale Financial, Lower Valley Energy and Star Valley Health. 

All of us at SVI Media would like to add our appreciation for the community support. This fundraiser far surpassed our expectations. Thank you to the businesses who quickly and eagerly pitched in and helped. Thank you to all who bought lunch, many of which donated much more than the cost of the meal. Thank you!

The money raised will help the Afton Food Pantry get through the rest of this year as they battle an increased need for assistance, coupled with the rising costs of food and a drop in donations. For those that would still like to make either a one-time or a recurring monthly donation, you can still do so at AftonFoodPantry.com.

For more images and coverage, see pages 14A and 15A in August 3 edition of the Star Valley Independent, or see the e-paper at SVInews.com/e-paper.