Guidelines for the Mobile Food Pantry

The second Saturday the month, the Food Bank of Wyoming sends a mobile food pantry. While the program is not “income based.” the food is designed to help those experiencing food insecurity. The gracious donors of the food and funds are donating with those type of households in mind. We kindly ask that if you aren’t needing the food, don’t take it as it can mean no food for those that really do. Sometimes there is extra food, which is available to anyone after those in line are served. We can take your number, or you may wait at the fairgrounds until the line is completed. This is true for anyone as well for those who have already gone through the line.  

It may not seem like that big of a deal to some people. After all, it’s free. At the same time, if you are family that needs food and there is none left, it becomes a big deal. 

There is also some confusion on what the guidelines and clarifications for the food boxes. To help clarify, here are some of them:  

• Distribution may not start any earlier than 15 minutes before the published time. (In Basin the distribution starts at 11 a.m.) 

• The number and variety of items offered will vary dependent on product and funding donations. 

• The Food Bank attempts to provide quantities to ensure each household may receive at least one of each item. Sometimes there is a limited number of items. The volunteers try their best to distribute evenly. In some cases, items may be substituted. 

• Fresh produce and dairy are sometimes available. Volunteers attempt to put the same amount of each in box. Depending on amount and condition, this may not always happen. 

• One box is for a household of four. A household is defined as dwelling. Please do not come in multiple vehicles to claim boxes for each individual in the dwelling.  If a household has five to eight members, they may have two boxes and two bundles of produce.  Households greater than nine may have three boxes and three bundles of produce.   

• Do not proxy for someone who lives out of state. 

• Volunteers are welcome to help starting at 9 a.m. the day of distribution. Each volunteer may choose to receive one box of food. They will be required to sign a client sheet like those waiting in line. 

• Food should not be taken to give to livestock unless the items are not suitable for human consumption. Sometimes the fresh food arrives past its prime. Those items are set to the side and are available to those that may want it for their livestock. Those items are available at the end of the distribution. 

• Be kind and patient.