A few things bind us all together as humans, and the need for food is one of them. No matter one’s age, background, address, race, gender or societal status: We all need to eat.
Across Wyoming, one in seven of our neighbors currently experiences food insecurity. Even more alarming is that one in five kids in Wyoming is food insecure. All of us are just a job loss, health crisis or uncontrollable circumstance away from not having enough to eat on a regular basis, which is why Food Bank of Wyoming strives to reach every single community member in our state in need of food. No matter where they live or what their life currently looks like, we will be there for them with the nourishment they need — that all of us need.
This is one of the neighbors we’ve had the honor of meeting recently across the state. He represents a small fraction of the more than 83,700 people in Wyoming — over 14% of the total population — who are food insecure. With your generous support through monetary donations or volunteering, we can ensure no one in Wyoming goes without food.
Meet Vern:
Vern is 80 years old and, every month, goes to pick up food for a neighbor at the Food Bank of Wyoming mobile pantry closest to the assisted living community he now calls home.
“There’s a lady raising four kids who needs some help. The Food Bank is a fabulous program. It helps a lot of people that really need help. It really does. And, you know, I know that for a fact. I see it,” Vern shared.
He gets some food for himself, too, but shared, “I’m 80 years old, I don’t eat much. A little jerky now and then.”
Vern grew up in Wyoming on Mule Shoe Ranch and was the first male child in his family to graduate from high school. After high school he served as a parachute rigger in the U.S. Navy. He is passionate about ranching and horses, and loved participating in the rodeo throughout his childhood and young adult life. “There’s nothing better than getting on a horse that really bucks, and to ride him and get off and pet him on the neck,” he reminisced.
Vern is also a licensed therapeutic horse instructor, working with kids with disabilities. His other hobbies include jewelry making; the day we met him, he was wearing a necklace, belt buckle and two bracelets he’d crafted.
Vern’s motto is: “Life’s fun, you just gotta let it be.”
For more information and daily updates on the Food Bank of Wyoming, visit their website and follow them on Facebook.
PAID FOR BY FOOD BANK OF WYOMING
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