The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming

Wyoming Food Bank of The Rockies and Moorcroft Interfaith Community complete third countywide mobile food pantry

“We are so blessed,” says Moorcroft Interfaith Community (MIC) Vice-President Randy Blakeman. “We had so many people show up for the Mobile Food Pantry that we were in danger of running out of food, but God provided what was needed.”

Blakeman hauled two pickup loads of food donated by the Salvation Army in Gillette to go along with the food delivered by the Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies, (WFBR) especially for the Crook County Mobile Food Pantry.

Together, the groups were able to provide food boxes for 113 families representing 397 individuals. Of that number, 170 were 18 and under children, 152 were 19-59 and 75 were 60 plus.

MIC president Monte Reichenberg says that, while the number of families served was up slightly from April, the total number of individuals served were down slightly. Reichenberg attributes the discrepancy to the fact there were a greater number of senior citizens who came by for food and those households tend to be smaller, usually one or two persons per household.

“But overall, we are very happy to see that people of all ages are finding out about the mobile pantries,” Reichenberg adds. “We also had a far better county wide representation this month which was great. We had people from Aladdin, Gillette, Rozet, Sundance, Pine Haven, Carlyle and Hulett attend.”

Walt Campbell, MIC Treasurer said the group was well pleased with the turnout and that they were especially thankful for all the volunteers who gave of their time to register participants, make phone calls, fill boxes and load food boxes into vehicles.

All three of the community leaders above also want to recognize Powder River Energy Corporation Foundation, which has been very generous with grants of meat and money, Diehl’s Supermarket for discounted products, Gillette Salvation Army for donated food items and all those who have donated to the food pantry.

The group was also very appreciative of Wyoming State Trooper James Rose’s presence at the mobile pantry.

“Trooper Rose stepped right up and helped with loading food boxes into vehicles,” says Reichenberg. “It was great to have him there and have a chance to get to know him a little bit while working together for the common good.”

The next countywide mobile food pantry will be June 11, 2020. The WFBR truck makes deliveries the day before so if anyone would be interested in helping unload trucks, fill food baskets, make phone calls, help with registrations or place boxes in vehicles please call or text 217-251-1182 or email [email protected].

Donations may be sent to MIC, P.O. Box 1056, Moorcroft, WY 82721. Make checks payable to MIC and noted for Food Pantry. MIC is a 501c3 Non-Profit organization.