March is National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month, a time to focus on healthy food choices and access to nutritious meals. In Campbell County, many families are working hard but still struggling to keep their kitchens stocked. The Council of Community Services helps bridge that gap by providing consistent, reliable hunger relief across our community.

What Hunger Looks Like in Our Community

In 2024, the need for food assistance continued to grow:

• Nearly 20,000 hot lunches were served at our Soup Kitchen, an 18% increase from 2023

• 3,700 individuals received meals, including 1,000 children and 400 seniors

• 2,500+ people relied on our Food Pantry

• Over $637,000 worth of donated and rescued food was distributed
  

Each month, hundreds of local families depend on these programs to help cover the gap between income and rising living costs.

Where the Food Comes From

Feeding our community takes coordination and strong local partnerships.

Food is sourced through:

• The Food Bank of Wyoming

• A dedicated truck that picks up rescued food to reduce waste

• Food purchased using grants and donor support

• Local food drives organized by schools, businesses, and community groups

These combined efforts allow the pantry and soup kitchen to stay stocked and responsive to changing needs.

Nutrition and Education Go Hand in Hand

Access to food is one part of the solution, but knowing how to prepare affordable, healthy meals is equally important. The University of Wyoming Extension’s Centsible Nutrition Program offers cooking and nutrition education designed for low-income families. The program shares practical strategies for preparing balanced meals using affordable pantry staples. When families have both ingredients and knowledge, they are better equipped to maintain stability over time. Learn more about the program and browse their online resources HERE.

How You Can Help

National Nutrition Month is an opportunity to take action:

• Donate healthy, non-perishable food items to our food pantry. Ideally, fresh items such as produce, eggs, and milk. These options help families create more balanced meals and expand choices beyond shelf-stable goods

• Make a financial contribution to help us purchase food and keep the food pantry and soup kitchen’s shelves stocked

• Volunteer at our food pantry to stock shelves, sort donations, and organize food for distribution

  
  

Community support keeps these programs running. Hunger relief strengthens families, supports children in school, and helps seniors remain independent. The impact stays local and directly benefits neighbors in Campbell County. This March, consider how you can support hunger programs in our community.