Some Wyomingites’ Food Security Put at Risk
Even with the SNAP benefits supposedly returning as the government moves to reopen, food instability has been increasing on campus over the past semester
The campus offers several food sharing cabinets throughout campus, and Poke’s Pantry, located in the basement of the Union. Students are also able to donate their own meal swipes to help others in need. However, with grocery prices rising and chaos surrounding SNAP benefits, UW students are turning to these pantries more than ever.
“We’ve been really busy this entire semester,” Jess Dooley, Poke’s Center for Community Resources project coordinator. “Between 800 and 900 visits per month compared to last year, when we didn’t even reach 600 visits per month during this time last year, so it’s a huge increase.”
According to the World Population Review, the average grocery bill in Wyoming is $254.24 per week. Even when trying to budget, making groceries can be hard for college kids.
Dooley didn’t expect to see a massive increase at the beginning of November, as students who are at least half-time are ineligible for SNAP benefits unless they meet exemptions like caring for a dependent in their household under the age of six, or being a single-parent caretaker for a dependent under the age of 12, or working for more than 20 hours per week.
Poke’s pantry is also available to all staff. Dooley said she sent out a reminder to the staff.
“Our lower-paid staff, like operations, custodians, things like that, will probably be more affected [by SNAP delays] as well,” Dooley said.
“We prioritize dignity, respect and providing high-quality, culturally appropriate food to meet diverse needs. Through coordinated, systemic solutions, we aim to address the root causes of food insecurity and amplify the voices of those affected,” according to the UW Food Pantry website.
Still, this aim might be hard to reach with resources being stretched thin.
“With the numbers that we do see, we have to limit how much [food] we put out and we’re still having empty shelves in certain areas here and there,” said Dooley.
Dooley said that the declaration of Welfare Emergency by Governor Gordon could be helpful to meet the increased needs of the people on campus are facing. But with the new updates to the shutdown, it is unclear where the Pantry will get the funds required to fight the food instability on campus.
Dooley encourages donations of money so the pantry can purchase items its patrons will use. Still, for those who want to help on a larger scale, Dooley encourages political action.
“I would say voting and advocating for those programs that provide more of a safety net rather than just emergency solutions, like pantries.”
