The Impact of SNAP Benefits in Our Community

November 19, 2025

With the government shutdown in October and withholding of November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, local families are feeling the strain. In Campbell County alone, SNAP funds in September totaled $377,717, supporting 1,968 individuals and 910 families. Statewide in September, support totaled $4.8 million, affecting more than 12,700 households.*

Thanks to a swift and generous $10,000 donation from The Second Step Foundation, the charitable arm of Interstate Power Systems, Edible Prairie Project was able to quickly respond by packing 408 emergency weekend food bags over two weeks for local school-age children whose families relied on these federal safety nets.

Each bag contained nearly $10 worth of food, including canned chicken, rice, fruit cups, canned soup and pasta, hot chocolate, and pink lady apples, which brought real relief during an uncertain time.

Photos of our amazing volunteers from Interstate Power Systems and a peek at our week 1 emergency food bag items

These emergency weekend food bags reached children across Campbell County through our incredible partners: the Boys and Girls Club of Campbell County, Kid Clinic, Children’s Developmental Services, Wright Community Assistance, Gillette Abuse Refuge Foundation, and Visitation and Advocacy Center. 

Gail Dunkle, Executive Director of Wright Community Assistance, told us:

"The delight these gifts are met with is awesome to see. Parents breathe a sigh of relief, and the children peer into the bags like they've found treasure!"

And at the Boys and Girls Club of Campbell County, that impact was just as clear. Brittney Locken, Executive Director, shared:

“For some parents, you can see the relief immediately. One mom’s shoulders literally dropped when she saw the food bags coming out.”

Thanks to your support and the team at Interstate Power Systems, local schoolchildren received the weekend food they needed, and parents felt just a little more steady during an uncertain season.

*County-level data reported by the Wyoming Department of Family Services and state data available from: Wyoming Department of Family Services (Nov 2025).