Debbie Kelly

CHEYENNE — First Lady Jennie Gordon’s Wyoming Hunger Initiative named Debbie Kelly as the new regional director for the north region defined as Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park and Washakie counties. According to a release, regional directors build and connect networks of local anti-hunger  organizations and create a platform for communication of innovative ideas to solve food insecurity.  

There are grassroots efforts in every Wyoming county dedicated to reducing hunger and  combating food insecurity. Instead of reinventing the wheel, Wyoming Hunger Initiative was  launched to work to prevent food insecurity by increasing awareness and support for the work of  local anti-hunger organizations statewide. 

Kelly, the Cent-$ible Nutrition Educator in Park and Big Horn counties, has been instrumental in executing the Wyoming Hunger Initiative mission for quite some time prior to  being named a regional director. She worked with the local Food from the Field processor, Wapiti Valley Meats, to deliver game meat to local anti-hunger organizations as well as was essential in encouraging local communities to grow a little extra to donate much needed produce to the food pantry system.  

“Regional Directors were chosen to represent a region based on their awareness of food insecurity  or role within their community that is directly related to food insecurity,” said Gordon. “Debbie is an excellent addition to our team as she is passionate about this work and is  committed to the fight against food insecurity in Wyoming.”  

She will replace Dr. Caitlin Youngquist of Worland, who served in this capacity for nearly three years prior to leaving her position with University of Wyoming Extension earlier this year.