A report on an empty Food Bank Jackson Hole, Wyoming, tells a story that is being repeated all over the US. Although Wyoming often runs counter to the country’s economy due to its mineral, gas and oil industry, even there food banks are experiencing unprecedented demands. This one has a happy ending according to volunteers at St. John’s Episcopal Church but as our financial woes continue around the world we may hear it repeated in every community.
Residents of, and travelers through, Jackson Hole have been able to turn to the community pantry in lean times for nearly a century. With the food aid available since St. John’s Episcopal Church was founded 100 years ago, the Jackson Cupboard, as it is now called, functions as an independent service, although it’s still housed on the church’s N. Glenwood campus.
But for reasons still unclear, a staggering 92 people sought assistance from the Jackson Cupboard on Monday. That number represents the most clients at one time in at least five years, when Father Ken Asel began serving as rector at St. John’s.
“A month’s worth of non-perishable vouchers, which are redeemable for fresh vegetables and dairy items, were given away in a day,” said Asel, who was out of the country last week and did not witness the line himself but learned about it through his staff.
The volume of clients at the Food Bank – often a resource for “transients” but, increasingly used by community members, Asel said – prompted the rector and others to spearhead a considerable food drive ahead of the holiday season and the beginning of winter.
The lack of snow and late opening of the ski resorts in the area have contributed to the unemployment situation but the good news is yesterday St. John’s reports they received 524 pounds of food on Sunday. How is your local food bank doing? Can you contribute some food or your time to it?
Read the article here.
And maybe we can commit to helping the hungry around the world. Read story of hunger in Zimbabwe here and Episcopal Relief and Development’s work here. Give here.