PINEDALE — The Pinedale Community Food Basket is among 54 worthy organizations to receive grant funding through the First Lady Jennie Gordon’s Wyoming Hunger Initiative this year. The Food Basket submitted an application in April and the request was reviewed by staff from the Wyoming Hunger Initiative, overseen by the board of directors of the Wyoming Governor’s Residence Foundation.

Gordon launched the Wyoming Hunger Initiative in 2019 with the goal of supporting anti-hunger nonprofits around Wyoming. Now in its fifth grant cycle, a total of $193,812 was allocated by the initiative this summer to fund infrastructure needs of anti-hunger organizations.

The Food Basket provides fresh, nutritious food to more than 70 Sublette County families, or approximately 190 individuals, at distribution events held monthly.

Grant funds were used to upgrade shelving in the food distribution area for canned and bagged stock, to improve storage for perishable items and provide a private changing table. According to Kari Bousman, Pinedale Community Food Basket food manager, “The most notable use of funds is the installation of a metal guard over the middle section of the front glass door to prevent damage and additional expense.”

Pinedale Community Food Basket volunteers Ed and Linda Trimmer recently installed the door guard.