After nearly three decades of teaching kindergarten and first grade students in Powell, seeing the effects of food insecurity and malnutrition on her students, Judy DeBock retired and began volunteering to help programs aimed at ending hunger in her community.

Now she’s the director of Backpack Blessings, a program that sends food supplements home with students who might otherwise go hungry on the weekends and during holidays. In her capacity she solicits donations, oversees purchases and organizes volunteers. She also volunteers for Powell Valley Loaves and Fishes, the area’s largest emergency food pantry.

Both programs need more donations and more volunteers — especially a few with strong backs and fresh legs. Most volunteers for the programs are retirees, some who have been with the programs since they were founded.

Along with other Powell programs, families facing tough times can fill their cupboards and ensure their families do not go hungry. And all of the programs are trying to prepare for the possibility of the suspension and permanent reductions in the federal government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also called SNAP.

Lines for Powell-area food assistance programs are already growing longer; in some cases the needs have doubled in the past year. With the possibility of SNAP being suspended Saturday due to the ongoing federal shutdown, directors of the critical programs are gearing up for even more families in need to reach out for help.

Additionally, with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill on July 4, program funding through the federal government will be permanently reduced by $186 billion over the next decade, or about 19% of the program’s approximately $100 billion annual budget.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is the nation’s largest nutritional program for families in crisis, serving a diverse population, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. State agencies administer the program, with federal funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. About 70% of the program offers an average benefit of $6 per day per child for families (39%), the elderly (20%) and individuals with disabilities (10%). The rest of the funding goes to adults without dependents with salaries below the poverty line, as well as covering the costs of program administration. The annual income eligibility threshold for receiving SNAP benefits in 2025 is $15,000 for a single individual.

In Wyoming, SNAP participants received about $62 million in 2024 according to a Tuesday statement by Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon. In the announcement, Gordon said he is exploring options to work around the potential suspension of payments on Nov. 1. Until options can be found, he is relying on charitable programs to cover needs in the Cowboy State.

“We in Wyoming know how important it is to solve problems which is why I know food pantries, churches and other organizations across the Cowboy State are ready to step up and help,” Gov. Gordon said. “We are working on ways to provide assistance. In the meantime I have no doubt that Wyoming citizens will help by donating to their local food pantry, church pantry and charitable organizations.”

In the Senate, Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis said she will support the Keep SNAP Funded Act introduced by Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., which would ensure full funding for the SNAP program during the government shutdown. Under the bill, Congress would appropriate the necessary funding to provide uninterrupted SNAP benefits, retroactive to the start of the shutdown. However, with just three days until benefits could run out, there are a lot of nervous people out there right now, both in organizations that serve the community and recipients of SNAP benefits.

The American Legion

Members of the Hughes-Pittinger American Legion Post 26, including the Sons of the American Legion and the Auxiliary, held an emergency meeting earlier this week to plan for the possibility of seeing another increase in the number of families relying on the military veterans’ organization for food distributions. They also organize and distribute federal government commodities on the third Tuesday of each month, a program that has already seen needs in the community double, said American Legion Post 26 Food Program Coordinator Patty Paulsen.

“We have planned for this. We have purchased almost everything for a holiday meal for our families [in need of assistance], and we normally serve about 150 families,” she said. “We make the best of what we can get and we appreciate what we get. And the Legion, with the help of the auxiliary, has purchased excess commodities just for this tough time.”

Paulsen grew up with food insecurity and has dedicated her life to ensure children do not have to go to bed hungry.

“I was a single mom for a lot of years, and one thing I know from experience is it takes a lot for a person to walk into a place, and ask if they can sign up for a box of food? And you know, I strive to make sure it’s a pleasant experience for people and be there to receive them and let them know that they’re not alone.”

When they started their distributions, which largely comes from private donors and the Food Bank of Wyoming, they were preparing about 35 food packages per week. Now that number has nearly doubled to an average of 65. Figuring out future distributions is difficult at this time, especially with the holiday season fast approaching.

“There’s so much ugly going on in the world, and we just want to reach out and tell people in the community that we’re here for them,” Paulsen said. “Our members are very gracious and they want to make a difference in the community. I truly believe that the American Legion has made a difference in the problem with the hunger in our society.”

Paulsen calls her volunteers “angels.”

“I believe in God and I believe there are angels watching over us,” she said.

Paulsen refuses to let the programs become a political issue, yet she is upset with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

“Congress isn’t being realistic. We need to pay them $7.65 an hour [the federal minimum wage] and see if they can pay their health insurance, rent and feed their families,” she said.

The Legion prepares free taco dinners each Tuesday to coincide with the distributions. Paulsen said she sees “a lot of kids coming in hungry.” This past Tuesday night the team of about eight volunteers were all working fast to keep up with the line. They also make the meals to-go, which is a popular option.

The American Legion food distributions are Tuesdays from 5-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Commodities food distributions are offered every third Saturday of the month, also from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. There is a small amount of paperwork for each program, but the important information is how many adults and children the meals feed.

The organization is already gearing up for special Thanksgiving and Christmas meals and is asking for donations of frozen turkeys, hams and whole chickens to add to the growing list of those in need. She noted that the owners of Down Home Discounts have donated pallets of food, among other donors.

They are also hosting a free Halloween party Friday night open to the general public. The party features candy and activities for the kids and a free chili dinner.

Powell Valley Loaves and Fishes

Powell’s largest emergency food pantry has been serving the community since 1986. Incredibly, some of its original volunteers are still with the organization. They will address additional needs at their next board meeting, said Peggy Snyder, food coordinator for the charity. She said if SNAP benefits don’t go out in November they anticipate the number of families they serve to surge.

“I think we’re going to need to power through this and do the best we can,” she said. “That’s not to say that we’ll always have enough, but ... we’re not cutting back to stretch it out. We are giving the same amount we always do.”

Applications for assistance are available at the reception office at the Park County Annex, but Snyder said they have never turned away families in crisis.

“My thought is, if one child doesn’t go to bed hungry tonight, that’s what we’re all about,” she said.

During the holiday season the organization also offers coupons to Blair’s and Albertsons for essentials like eggs, bread and milk. Most of their volunteers are retired teachers, just like Snyder.

“Every time somebody retires from teaching, I just kind of try to reel them in,” she said. “We’ve got a very good volunteer base, and you know, there are volunteers who drop out, but then we usually manage to pick up somebody else.”

They survive on donations, but there are also people who enlist their school or private company to do food drives for nonperishable items. One of the companies that has recently decided to help the food pantry is Sunlight Federal Credit Union.

Teller Eva Linton is the Powell branch community involvement group leader and they are having their second food drive to help Loaves and Fishes.

“This is our top priority. We’re also going to be doing Toys for Tots,” Linton said. “It’s very important to us to make sure that our people in the community are taken care of.”

Linton has been motivated to make sure families don’t have to face malnutrition after she grew up with food insecurities.

“It’s horrible and it makes me sad. I literally have nightmares of other people not being able to have enough because, like, I was there as a child,” she said. “Families shouldn’t feel shame. We are the richest country in the world and we should be able to help all of those who need it. And I mean in all walks of life. We should have groceries that we can afford. We shouldn’t live in food deserts. It makes me angry.”

She has turned her experiences as a child in a family with 11 children into her motivation to help those not knowing when they will see their next meal. The first food drive, the Powell branch collected 18 full boxes of nonperishables to deliver to Loaves and Fishes.

Linton would like donors to use some creativity when shopping for families who rely on Loaves and Fishes. For example, she has a love for canned beets — something she learned to love while canning produce from the family’s large garden.

“Not everyone is able to grow their own produce and raise livestock like we did,” she said.

All Sunlight branches are active in collecting food for their local pantries, Linton said.

St. John’s Episcopal Church

Using their own creative approach, St. John’s food pantry makes kit meals, complete with meat, said pantry organizer Sue Woods. The volunteers also try to complement other pantries by shopping for food not usually provided by other groups.

“We’re lucky we have cash to buy meat. Every single week we offer meat; anything from a pork loin to hamburger. We design a meal around the meat so they can bring home their pork loin and have mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes — whatever we have.”

The pantry is funded by grants from private institutions, which allows the organizers a lot of choices.

“We look for money everywhere we can find money, and people are very, very supportive of food pantries,” Woods said.

There’s no need to fill out an application.

“Anybody that wants food or needs food is welcome,” she said.

The program is popular and cars were lined up around the block Tuesday waiting for their chance to raid the pantry. Woods said the last Tuesday of the month they clear their shelves due to limited storage, and allow those in line to take what they need.

“Anything that’s left over from the week we distribute so that we can start with empty shelves the next week for the new menu,” she said.

In the past year the pantry has seen a 135% increase in families served is well aware of the possibility of that statistic continuing to rise. But when you do something out of love, you go the extra mile to make their day easier.

“We feel like part of our pantry business is not just feeding everybody with food, but we love them. We make sure they’re as comfortable as can be, and don’t feel like they are the poor. We make them feel like they’re our friends,” she said.

St. John’s food pantry is open Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Powell Seventh-day Adventist Church

Bud Boyles, director of the church’s food pantry, is used to emergencies and tries to help all who call on his small congregation. He is buckling down for the storm brewing as the news of suspended SNAP benefits breaks.

“We are definitely going to see an increase with what is going on,” he said. “We’re a small congregation, but we are willing to do it anyway.”

However, Boyles has some worries that his food orders may not be able to be delivered due to the possible rush for benefits if SNAP closes.

“We don’t even know if we’ll get our November shipment from the Food Bank of Wyoming. We’re kind of in the same sort of limbo as the people on SNAP right now,” he said.

Up to 90 families rely on the pantry during the last two Thursdays of the month. The pantry is open from 4 to 7 p.m.

Backpack Blessings

A crew of volunteers, managed by DeBock, arrives at the United Church of Powell on Thursday afternoons during the school year to build weekend food packages meant to fit in a backpack and away from the sometimes judgmental eyes of others. The crew fills the orders and the Powell High School Honors Society delivers them to schools where teachers load students’ backpacks during a private moment.

The work is done quickly, with many of the volunteers giving the program years of their Thursday afternoons, making for a well-oiled machine. If you find yourself in the wrong place you might get run over. They have to move fast to keep up with a growing demand.

The backpacks are filled with food purchased with grants and donations. DeBock said it’s not just about getting nutrition to those in need; they also need to serve food children will like. Menus often included canned beef ravioli, peaches, chocolate pudding, popcorn, cereal, applesauce, oatmeal, macaroni and cheese, and snacks to last the entire weekend while the children are away from meals served during school days.

DeBock said the group has “great volunteers” and they fill about 150 bags for children at local elementary schools. During the Covid pandemic the program, which relies on grants and donations, was having a hard time raising money for the program. They came up with a virtual pie auction. Supporters will bid on yummy imaginary pies without the hassle of counting calories for a month or two after the fundraising event.

The lack of proper nutrition has devastating effects on a student, said one volunteer. It makes a big difference in their ability to learn, to concentrate and to stay focused. It’s a big win for the students, allowing them to head home Friday afternoons knowing they won’t go hungry over the weekend of holiday breaks.

DeBock also volunteers for the “Purple Bag Ladies,” who deliver toiletry items to senior citizens. With the price of toiletries, the program is important to those living on a fixed income.

“We need to start doing some fundraising, because our funds are getting low,” she said, adding that with the rate of increase, the program needs “more donors that understand the importance of our work.”

Other programs, including massive donations by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, may be available throughout the year and other statewide groups, like first lady Jennie Gordon’s Wyoming Hunger Initiative, continue to search for ways to feed those without meals in the Cowboy State.