The Wyoming Hunger Initiative, led by First Lady Jennie Gordon, has successfully distributed 250,000 beef sticks to children throughout the state during the 2023-2024 school year through its Beef for Backpacks program, Wyoming News Now reports.
The initiative, which partners with local beef donors, aims to provide high-quality protein snacks to kids in need through weekend food bag programs.
The Beef for Backpacks program launched this school year and has already served over 5,000 children across Wyoming. Each donated cow yields 2,880 snack sticks, which can feed 80 children for 36 weeks. The initiative helps support students facing food insecurity by providing nutritious snacks.
Reflecting on the program’s impact, First Lady Gordon emphasized the importance of community support for families facing difficult circumstances.
“Being able to help those kids and families really means a lot, and that’s what makes us a great state, and a great community, is helping those that are less fortunate,” she said.
Looking ahead, the Wyoming Hunger Initiative has set an ambitious goal for the next school year: to distribute 270,000 beef sticks.
