When the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program was paused earlier this month during the government shutdown, hundreds of families across the Big Horn Basin — more than 200 just in Powell — were adversely affected. But, once donors became aware of the crisis-in-the-making, they stepped forward to ensure everyone would have a happy holiday season.

Checks from individuals poured in to Powell charities and Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon made sure residents wouldn’t go hungry by funding food pantries with millions of dollars to make up for the federal government shortfall.

“He came through big time,” said Cindy Balderas of Gordon’s assistance package.

Balderas has seen it all in her almost 40 years of volunteer work at Powell Valley Loaves and Fishes, Powell’s largest food pantry, and is still amazed by those who continue to respond. Checks poured in from donors earlier this month — one for $1,000 — as well as food from several pop-up food drives.

When Loaves and Fishes began in 1987, the founders thought it would be temporary. Yet, 38 years later the charity is still serving the community; now in larger numbers due to rising food costs.

“We’re still getting higher numbers of those [in need],” Balderas said in a Monday morning interview. “There’s going to be a shortage for some people, so we’re continuing to try to supplement them.”

Balderas and Sharon Bailey are the last two founders still at it who have been volunteering ever since the pantry held its first meeting. Both have been volunteers for the program for more than half their lives.

“It’s been a joy,” Balderas said of her 38 years with the organization.

She has an endless list of acts of generosity from donors during her many years with the pantry. This year she met a young Powell girl who told family and friends that she didn’t want birthday presents, instead asking for food donations from family and friends to hand deliver a little hope to Loaves and Fishes.

“It’s been wonderful,” she said, thanking the community for their support.

Thanks to the state and donors, the pantry can once again offer coupons good for a turkey or ham for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, Balderas said. The pantry also has credit with the Food Bank of Wyoming — part of the governor’s assistance program — so volunteers can order the food they need over the next couple of months.

In 2024, Food Bank of Wyoming distributed over 12 million pounds of food across all 23 counties in Wyoming. In 2025, the Food Bank concentrated on expanding local food rescue partnerships and purchasing efforts.

The Food Rescue Team actively explored new ways to reduce food waste and reclaim surplus food from retail stores, while also creating relationships with local ranchers and farmers to provide fresh, Wyoming-grown produce to people across the state.

Turkey dinners

Saturday was the special Thanksgiving turkey dinner giveaway at the Hughes-Pittinger American Legion Post 26. Before doors opened at 11 a.m. people lined up around the corner of the Homesteader Museum. The side dishes were delivered in boxes revealing not only canned goods and boxes of stuffing, but also fresh fruit and vegetables. Meanwhile, Post 26 Scouts and young volunteers from the LDS church waited to help deliver fat turkeys to cars for those in need.

Food distribution manager Patty Paulson said without the help of funds awarded from the governor’s wife’s Hunger Initiative Program and Gov. Gordon’s emergency allotment of money, which was spread throughout the different area food banks, the hand ups wouldn’t be possible.

“Their generosity enabled us to hand out the Thanksgiving boxes today, which included breakfast and lunch items, as well as Thanksgiving dinner and other dinner items,” Paulson said. “We’re grateful to our state government.”