Mark Gordon

Saying “Wyoming will not allow its citizens to go hungry because Washington can’t do its job,” Gov. Mark Gordon declared a public welfare emergency authorizing $10 million in state emergency funds to ensure Wyoming families have access to food assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

“Food insecurity doesn’t care about political parties,” Gordon said.

He signed an executive order authorizing the funding Friday directing the Wyoming Department of Family Services to coordinate with the state budget director to deploy emergency funds to charitable organizations and churches which have food banks, pantries, and mobile food pantries that distribute food to Wyomingites. It also directs Family Services to issue grant agreements to ensure the funds are widely available to these organizations to assure nutritional food is widely available. 

Peggy Snyder, food coordinator for Powell Valley Loaves and Fishes, the largest food pantry in Powell, was proud of Gov. Gordon for stepping up during the crisis.

“We are Wyoming strong. They step up to take care of their people,” she said, adding “wherever I’m at; in a small group, a book club, wherever, it’s always, “what can we do? Do you need food? Do you want money? People are eager to reach out and help.”

Local food drives have been accelerating their efforts in anticipation of more need if benefits are delayed or temporarily lowered. According to the Wyoming Hunger Initiative, just under 200 families receive SNAP benefits in Powell.

The governor’s order also put State Budget Director Korin Schmidt on a tight deadline to submit a proposal for the distribution of the funds to the governor for review and approval by the following day — which is also the day SNAP benefits run out across the country. 

“The stress this government shutdown is placing on local organizations and churches dedicated to feeding hungry Wyomingites is significant, and we recognize their tireless efforts,” Schmidt said. “We are prepared to distribute these crucial funds as quickly and efficiently as possible, allowing our partners to concentrate on ensuring their neighbors have food.”

Under state law the governor may authorize up to $10 million from the Legislative Stabilization Reserve Account (LSRA) when a “public welfare emergency” exists. State statute defines such an emergency as a sudden and unforeseeable event that threatens the health or welfare of the public and requires immediate action when no other funds are available. The emergency relief is temporary and will discontinue once federal SNAP funding resumes.

“Many of Wyoming’s elderly and children rely on SNAP to put food on their tables. Our veterans and soldiers deserve nothing less,” the governor said. “My first priority as Governor is to ensure the safety and well being of all of the citizens. I will not hesitate to do so.”

Gordon called the closing of the government the “Schumer Shutdown.” Democrats refused to negotiate a clean continuing resolution without subsidies for those with health care insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act, while Republicans have stood their ground on not passing anything but a clean resolution.

Gordon also passed an order directing the state to “restrict the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for the purchase of certain foods that offer little or no nutritional value, such as sugary beverages, and candy.”

“Wyoming taxpayers expect their dollars to support food assistance that helps families put healthy food on the table,” Gordon said in a release. “SNAP is intended to help feed people, and Wyoming knows how to provide nutritious food. This order will ensure taxpayer funds are used to assist those in need to provide nutritious food for themselves and their family.”

Two federal judges ruled Friday the Trump administration must use emergency funding to continue providing SNAP benefits, giving the administration a Monday deadline. A federal judge in Rhode Island wrote in an order Saturday that President Donald Trump’s Agriculture Department needed to make full food stamp payments no later than end of day Monday, or partial payments by the end of day Wednesday.

About 70% of all benefits go to families with children, the elderly and Americans with disabilities. The rest goes to administrative costs and adults without dependents making less than $15,000 annually.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, passed on July 4, cuts $186 billion from the program over the next decade, or close to 20% of the benefits per year. The Act also makes changes to work requirements for able-bodied recipients, making state matching funds based on distribution error rates and cost sharing for states on administrative costs and ending required funding of the SNAP Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program with fiscal year 2025 grant allocations, among other requirements.

The governor’s press conference was quick. He mentioned he was looking forward to handing out Halloween candy later in the afternoon.