Moral obligation to feed the poor
The need in Johnson County has rarely felt more urgent. With federal food assistance stalled by the government shutdown, families who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program face the grim possibility of empty cupboards. In Wyoming, more than 28,000 people depend on SNAP each month. Here in Johnson County alone, nearly 200 of our neighbors were served by the program in September. Now, with benefits frozen and no assurance of reimbursement, many are left wondering how they’ll make it through the month.
Food insecurity is not an abstract statistic — it’s a local reality. At the Food Bank of Wyoming’s mobile pantry at the fairgrounds last week, volunteers recently had to turn away 40 families because the food ran out. At St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, the Bread of Life Food Pantry has already seen visits climb steadily, up by 100 in the first eight months of this year compared with last. That’s before any additional strain from the loss of SNAP funds or from federal employees who aren’t getting a paycheck.
The Bread of Life Pantry is doing what it has always done: opening its doors to anyone in need with no questions asked. It’s open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from noon to 1 p.m. and again from 5 to 6 p.m. New patrons who wish to register in advance can call 278-0066. But even with steady donations, the shelves will need to be restocked more frequently in the coming weeks.
This is where we come in. If you can donate food, do so now. If you can write a check, do it today. And if you belong to a church, civic club or community organization, organize a food drive. The need is palpable and it will only grow.
We have a moral obligation to help. Our community’s strength has always come from neighbors helping neighbors, from stepping up when times get hard. This is one of those moments. The Bread of Life Food Pantry, the Food Bank of Wyoming and countless volunteers are already doing the work. Let’s make sure they have the resources to keep doing it.
Hunger doesn’t take a holiday. It doesn’t wait for Washington to get its act together. It’s here right now — and together, we can make sure no one in Johnson County goes hungry.