Sixty-nine food baskets delivered by local law enforcement Monday

Each year the First Lady of Wyoming’s Hunger Initiative partners with local law enforcement to deliver food baskets the week of Christmas. This year 69 baskets, went to homes in south Big Horn County. 

“Because of generous contributions from a variety of organizations and individual donors, Wyoming Hunger Initiative was able to provide over $120,000 in financial support to provide holiday meals for Shop with a Cop program statewide as well as local food pantries facing increased demand over the holiday season,” First Lady Jennie Gordon said recently.

Wyoming Highway Patrol’s Lieutenant Andy Hoffman has taken the lead locally on this program for five or six years. He coordinates with the First Lady’s Chief of Staff Trista Ostrom for South Big Horn County, Washakie and Hot Springs counties. He sends the number of baskets needed to Ostrom, who in turn sends a check to a local grocery store. In Big Horn County, that store is Basin’s Market. Nate Baril, who manages the store, fills boxes with food. Law enforcement officers then pick them up to deliver.  WHP Trooper Anthony Landers explained it is a good opportunity to give back to the community and to those that made need a little help.

Greybull’s Chief of Police Travis Davis, Officer Cat Wiekhorst and Court Clerk Shauna Tranas assisted in the gathering of names and the distribution Monday. 

Wiekhorst said this it is her fifth year helping with the program. This year, the need was greatest.  “At this time of year, it is always good to look out for everyone during the Christmas season. There are a lot of people struggling to make Christmas, to make the bills, to make life. The whole point of this is make it easier from those families.” 

Davis added that this is his second year helping with the giveaways. He said he is excited to be involved again this year. 

Basin Police Sergeant Scott Drewry explained he was happy to be a part of helping the community. Manderson Chief of Police Darold Newman had similar words. “I’m happy to participate. This is the first year Manderson PD has been involved.” It was also the first time for Burlington school resource officer Nate Kreider. 

This is also the first year that Santa rode along with the officers. In addition to food, warm hats and scarfs made by Christine Cox were distributed to those who could use them.