Shutdown was a great reminder of the impact of nonprofits

After 44 days, the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history finally ended last week with a funding deal that lasts through Jan. 30. From federal employees missing paychecks through the suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, thousands of Wyoming residents were impacted.

As the political standoff in Washington, D.C., dragged on, one thing was constant: local food pantries became more essential than ever. In Laramie County, that meant extra pressure on Needs Inc., St. Joseph’s Food Pantry, Pine Bluffs Food Pantry, local churches and more.

In the last weeks of the shutdown, when it became clear that SNAP recipients wouldn’t be getting their benefits for the foreseeable future, Gov. Mark Gordon stepped in to offer extra financial support to food pantries statewide. This week, he wrote, “I want to thank the Legislature for setting funds aside for this kind of emergency.” With up to $10 million at his disposal to address public health emergencies, this helped expand the work of those who serve our communities week in and week out.

But the true heroes in this situation were the volunteers and staff at local nonprofits, as well as the countless other groups and individuals who offered their support. For some, that meant writing a check. For others, like public school students in Pine Bluffs, it meant holding a friendly competition between the high school and elementary school to see who could collect the most nonperishable food to support the local pantry. (For the record, the elementary kids won by nearly 200 pounds; both schools combined donated more than 1,000 pounds!)

Not that any of this surprises us, of course. We’ve known for a long time that area residents are always willing to step up and lend a hand when a crisis arises.

And while it also wasn’t a surprise, but more an affirmation, the stories of nonprofits supporting one another and referring people to each other’s programs were heartening. After all, we’re much stronger together than we are apart.

That lesson needs to extend across all aspects of the nonprofit world. Gone should be the days of siloed agencies trying to protect their little corners of the fundraising world. Instead, one agency’s bounty should help uplift another that’s struggling — often to serve the same clients.

Thankfully, there’s an umbrella nonprofit working to encourage just that — the Wyoming Nonprofit Network (WNN). During a conversation with our editorial board this week, Executive Director Jody Shields and Director of External Affairs Michael Pearlman shared many of the ways they’re working to strengthen Wyoming’s 501©3 organizations. This ranges from financial basics training to an online library of resources and, of course, the annual WyoGives statewide day of giving.

Here in Laramie County, WNN hosts a monthly nonprofit networking meeting, where leaders of these groups can get together over coffee and light breakfast snacks to connect with peers and learn more about that month’s host organization (the next one is 8-9 a.m. Dec. 11 at the Laramie County Library; RSVP at wynonprofit.org/event-6393534).

Although they are not government funded, WNN officials said it’s important for residents to remember that government support for the work of nonprofits — usually in the form of grants — is often key to their success, and it’s not always true that as government pulls back in certain areas that nonprofits will be able to fill the gap.

The recent shutdown was a good example. While some food pantries may have been able to continue meeting everyone’s needs after SNAP benefits disappeared, others were boosted by the timing of Gov. Gordon’s emergency declaration and the financial help that came with it. This “braiding” of funding sources, as Ms. Shields calls it, is critical in some situations and for certain organizations, especially if they don’t have revenue streams such as memberships, program service fees or large-scale donors.

Speaking of donors, our final tip-of-the-hat goes to the local business community. We wrote about several local eateries that were providing free daily meals to SNAP recipients while benefits were frozen, and we know there were others who did so without any attention. Other local business owners — as they do throughout the year — stepped up and made financial donations to help key agencies meet the increased need. (Need any more encouragement to “Shop Local”?)

Thankfully, the most recent crisis has passed, and Gov. Gordon was able to rescind his order and shut down the Hunger Relief Program on Wednesday, as promised. Now, as we enter the holiday season, it’s time for those with the means to once again step up and help our nonprofit organizations continue to provide the vital support they offer year-round.