Cheyenne summit spotlights Wyoming’s anti-hunger heroes — and the neighbors powering them

The original story by Denise Mestas for Wyoming News Now.

Wyoming’s fight against food insecurity got a big, loud cheer this week as First Lady Jennie Gordon’s Wyoming Hunger Initiative and the Hughes Charitable Foundation convened a regional summit in the capital to swap ideas, share resources, and — most importantly — celebrate the volunteers who make sure pantries stay stocked and kids don’t go to bed hungry.

Gordon launched the Hunger Initiative back in 2019 with two simple rules: don’t reinvent the wheel, and show up in all 23 counties. The idea is to lift up the grassroots work already happening in every corner of the state — church pantries, school backpack programs, senior meal routes — by connecting them, amplifying them, and helping them grow.

“Through the relationships that have been developed across the state specific to food insecurity, Wyoming Hunger Initiative has identified partners in every community,” the First Lady said. “That’s led to real opportunities to network, share resources, and collaborate. Ultimately, this summit will move southeast Wyoming forward together — and some of the action items are already underway.”

The gathering opened with a volunteer recognition celebration, where anti-hunger organizations nominated a standout from their own ranks. Honorees included Elizabeth Lance (Unaccompanied Students Initiative), Eric Bryant (Laramie Interfaith), Holly and Jim Fisher (Friday Food Bag Foundation), the family of Dr. Brian Horst (St. Joseph’s Food Pantry), Kristen Anderson (Meals on Wheels of Cheyenne), Deb Chaffin (Society of St. Vincent de Paul), Vicki and Dale Kelley (Medicine Bow Food Pantry), Martha Curl (Veterans’ Rock), Jennifer McCartney (LCCC FNBO Food Pantry), Cheryl Trimble (Cotant’s Totes of Hope), Matt Connary (Family Promise of Cheyenne), Ken Taylor (Platte County Services for Seniors), and Maria Limon (Needs, Inc.).

Between handshakes and hugs, the agenda focused on practical collaboration — how to stretch dollars, reduce duplicate efforts, and reach more people faster, from rural ranch roads to city neighborhoods. The through-line was clear: Wyoming’s anti-hunger network works because volunteers keep showing up. As the First Lady’s team put it, without them, none of this is possible.

If there was a theme to the night, it was commitment. These honorees — and the organizations behind them — are all in.