Food Security: Wyoming Hunger Initiative transitions to independent organization

The Wyoming Hunger Initiative (WHI) has been at the forefront of the fight against food insecurity in the Cowboy State since 2019.

Originally started as a signature initiative of First Lady Jennie Gordon through the Wyoming Governor’s Residence Foundation, the program officially transitioned to an independent nonprofit organization on Sept. 30 after being granted tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(3) entity by the Internal Revenue Service. 

The organization’s new status ensures its positive impact will continue throughout Wyoming even after the conclusion of the Gordons’ time in office. 

“From the beginning, WHI has been about empowering communities to fight food insecurity in ways that are local, lasting and uniquely Wyoming,” says Gordon in an Oct. 4 press release. 

“As it becomes an independent organization, I am incredibly proud of the foundation we’ve built, and confident in the team’s ability to carry this mission forward with strength and vision,” she adds. 

Wyoming Hunger Initiative

Per the organization’s official website, WHI works to prevent food insecurity “by increasing awareness and support for the work of local anti-hunger organizations statewide through innovative programs connecting like-minded organizations.”

In addition to raising awareness and fostering collaboration, the initiative is instrumental in providing grant funding for local programs which work to end hunger in Wyoming.

WHI has raised and distributed millions in funding to food pantries, backpack programs, producers and hunger-relief organizations by prioritizing community collaboration and partnership with producers across Wyoming.

In the years since its inception, WHI has expanded its influence to reach every one of the state’s 23 counties and every Wyoming Tribe. 

Gordon notes this statewide influence was a goal from the beginning. She also emphasizes, rather than reinventing the wheel when she originally launched the initiative, she had a foundational desire to work closely with grassroots organizations that had already been fighting food insecurity in Wyoming for many years.

The initiative invites and encourages every Wyomingite to join together in fighting food insecurity and aims to reduce the stigma around asking for help.

“Everyone is just one emergency away from being in need,” comments Gordon. 

By encouraging a spirit of collaboration and care, the organization cultivates a platform for sharing the bounty of the agricultural community neighbor to neighbor.

Programs and partnerships

WHI partners with several state and community organizations, in addition to local producers, to work toward ending hunger in Wyoming. Collaboration with independent food banks and pantries and local organizations across the state is a top priority.

Programs like Food from the Farm and Ranch and Grow a Little Extra – which were created in partnership with the Wyoming Stock Growers Association – provide avenues for local farmers and ranchers to make a direct impact on food insecurity in their communities. 

Through these programs, producers donate fresh produce and livestock to be distributed to local groups like Veterans’ organizations and the Boys and Girls Club of America. 

WHI pays for processing costs and oversees distribution of locally-grown protein from cattle, sheep and hogs, and Gordon notes roughly 238,000 pounds of meat have been distributed through these programs since their start in 2020. 

“As producers, we are so busy doing our daily work, we sometimes forget to celebrate the amazing things we do in agriculture,” she says, further noting WHI programs are often the connection point for the continued work communities across the state are able to achieve. 

Securing the future

With its new status as an independent nonprofit organization, WHI will continue to grow and impact the state.

“As an independent nonprofit organization, WHI will have greater flexibility to grow, deepen its impact and build new partnerships across the state and beyond,” reads the press release. “It will continue its core mission to end hunger in Wyoming, while pursuing new opportunities for outreach, education and systemic change.”

A strong working board, a team of dedicated regional directors and several other staff members have been instrumental in advancing the efforts of WHI. 

Previously, the regional directors were volunteers, but the transition to an independent organzation means these positions will be able to be paid moving forward. 

Gordon anticipates this change will allow the initiative to accomplish even more as they continue to seek out and support Wyoming-based solutions to food insecurity statewide.

Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.