News & Views

Afton Food Pantry board members have been playing in the dirt for a good cause. 
Last September the construction of a geodome near Afton's Civic Center started. The geodome was a partnership between The Lincoln County Commissioners, UW Extension Office, and would be constructed and utilized by LC Cent$ible Nutrition, Afton Food Pantry, and the LC 4-H Program. 
Planting started a little later then expected thanks to Covid- 19 but after just 2 short months and lots of TLC given, the Afton Food Pantry was able to harvest it's first round of spinach that went out the very same night to patrons utilizing the Pantry. 
The geodome is such a great way to grow upon the Healthy Food Pantry Project which focuses on getting families in need fresh and healthier food choices. Prior to the geodome, the Pantry has been purchasing those fresh food items for the local grocery stores. Sometimes grant money isn't available to fund this kind of project, so we thought the geodome was a great fit to ensure we could give out home grown items through the summer months at least. 
We can truly say now more then ever that the Pantry has truly grown with love both in support from the community and also growing with love the produce we put so much work into day after day.

March 30, 2020

We know these are difficult times within our nation and our state. We know there is a lot of uncertainty for many individuals and families between loss of jobs and school closures. We want everyone to know that we are here to help during this time. However, the Pantry also has to do its part to help combat the virus without our community. Because of that, we will be changing open days and hours for the next month to try to limit the amount of people leaving their homes. 

The Pantry will be open- April 9th 2020 5-7pm but CLOSED April 16th.

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Then re-open April 23rd, 2020 5-7pm and then CLOSE April 30th. 

We will operate as we have with a drive thru system as we have been doing. We ask all patrons to stay inside their vehicles and we will come to you. In an effort to limit both volunteers and patrons having to go out within the community we will then be closed April 16th. Because of the closure, the Pantry will give out 2 weeks worth of food to help aid all families during that. time.  The goal is to still provide the same amount of food but prevent many people from having to come out frequently to receive it. We want to make sure anyone in need of food is able to receive it at this time. If you are elderly, we will deliver groceries to your doorstep so you do not have to come out of your homes. We know this is a difficult time for everyone, just know the Pantry is here to help. 

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Call or email us for any questions- 307.887.3663 aftonfoodpantry@gmail.com

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January 9th, 2020 was a monumental night for the Pantry. First Lady Mrs. Gordon read an article about the Pantry in the Wyoming Livestock Round-Up written by Hannah Bugas. In that article, we mentioned the growth of our small pantry in just 3 years time. Mrs. Gordon has made it her mission to focus on hunger in the state of Wyoming. Sadly, 1 in 6 children are not sure where their next meal is coming from. Mrs. Gordon has been busy touring the state to see all the amazing programs that are focused on fighting hunger within our state. After reading the article featuring us, her office reached out to see about her coming to tour the Pantry and also serve the Patrons that utilize the Pantry every Thursday night. " I never thought 3 years ago, that what we started from the ground up would be so monumental that it would attract the First Lady of Wyoming to come see it. That is the power of doing what you can to help one another in our community,"- said Sierra Mitchell- Pantry President and Founder. Mrs. Gordon joined us in making bins of food, getting produce, bread and meat ready for the night, and then served each and every patron that came to our doorstep that snowy Thursday evening. Mrs. Gordon truly has a passion for wanting to make a difference for all those that face food insecurity. Her mission is No Hunger Wyoming. Her goal is not re-invent the wheel but rather provide partnership between agencies working toward the same goal of fighting hunger within our state. We are so thankful and honored to have been visited by Mrs. Gordon as she tries to make a difference within our state. Be sure to check out her initiative and join our fight against hunger within our own community.

Together.. we can make a difference.

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www.nohungerwyo.org

Donations come in all sorts of ways for the Afton Food Pantry. Last year brought the grant money possible to purchase healthy produce items. This year brought a different donation that will make fresh produce an option but also education into growing and harvesting your own produce available to all food pantry patrons. A string of phone calls and partnerships made this geodome effort possible. A grant became available from the University of Wyoming wanting  to promote geodomes across the state of Wyoming. After our county commissioners said yes to the idea and agreed to offer not only a location but also would provide all the groundwork needed to get ready for a geodome, the Afton Food Pantry, Cent$ible Nutrition, and 4-H program came together to decide how to proceed to benefit each program .All 3 entities will benefit in one way or another from the geodome. For the Pantry, the opportunity to receive harvested food items is just one way we will benefit. "Don McAdams joined our board last year with strength in geodomes and growing produce. He will be a huge strength to our board as we prepare the geodome for  springtime crops," said Sierra Mitchell Pantry President. She went onto say, " Grant money isn't always available so the Pantry wanted to make sure we could still offer fresh food items somehow, and the geodome is a perfect way to do that. " The goal will be to utilize such groups like the Swift Creek High School to prep the geodome, seed, and grow all the produce. We are also excited to offer classes about growing here in Star Valley and what produce works best, education how to set up a geodome or garden, and then  education about maintaining it. " Its going to be an exciting time as we work together to make this geodome a success.We would like to say a special thank you to the County Commissioners for donating the land and ground work needed, Shelley Balls with Cent$ible Nutrition for gathering volunteers, and anyone else who came and helped set up the geodome. We look forward to the possibilities this geodome brings to benefit our community.

September 20, 2019

2019 4-H Livestock Sale brought forth 13 animals that will soon be filling the freezers are the Afton Food Pantry. Meat is so important for the individuals coming to the Pantry weekly,"- said Julie Deroche pantry Vice President. 

Donors stepped forward to offer animal donations that were processed by the Pantry. In total, over $14,150.00 worth of animals were donated. " What a huge blessing to be able to give out meat weekly to anyone who comes our way,"- said Violet Sanderson- Pantry treasurer. 

Because of the increase in animal donations year after year, the Pantry has now invested in 4 large commercial freezers to be able to keep on hand frozen meat,  frozen vegetables, and bread. The Pantry also has a new 2 door fridge to allow for fresh produce, fresh eggs, and milk donations.

"It's been the most incredible 3 years of growth at the Food Pantry. To think we started with just a few hundred dollars and a few hundred cans to now. Being able to offer bread, meat, fresh produce, as well as canned goods weekly is truly the testament of a tremendous outpouring of love from the community. Everything through the Pantry is volunteer and donation. From the food items themselves to the volunteers including the 5 board members. We do it because we love it and we know without a doubt its making a difference in the valley we love. - said Sierra Mitchell- Pantry President.

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We wish to thank the following businesses and individuals for their generous donation of a fair animal to the Pantry.

Amanda Wilford, Black Mountain Boosters, Black Mountain Rental, Canyon River Realty, Deann's Rental Properties, Mrs. Marti Halverson, Salt River Motors, and Westwood Curtis.