UPDATE: About an hour after publication of this article, Governor Gordon declared a “public welfare emergency,” to “ensure Wyoming families continue to have access to food if federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) dollars run out due to the federal government shutdown.” Click here for more details.
(Fremont County, WY) – As the 2025 government shutdown reaches Day 30 today, October 31, many folks in the state of Wyoming have been left wondering how it will affect those who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which the Wyoming Department of Family Services announced on October 16 would not be issued in November “until federal funding is restored.”
SNAP “provides monthly benefits that help low-income households buy the food they need for good health,” the WDFS shared in the October 16 release, which also informed that during the 2025 fiscal year (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025), an “average of 28,364 individuals were served by SNAP each month,” and that the average SNAP payment is “about $185 each month per person.”
In Wyoming, SNAP is managed by the WDFS, and the agency shared that it is “actively working with local food banks and community partners to fill the gap left by the absence of payments, which were expected to go to recipients the first week of November.” At this time, it is unknown if any missed payments will be distributed at a later date.
“We understand the uncertainty about November’s SNAP funds may create a hardship for
families and elderly who rely on this resource, and we want to give them time to prepare,” DFS Director Korin Schmidt said in the October 16 release. “We will continue to work with our clients to process applications and renewals so that benefits can be issued as soon as Congress reinstates funding.”
The WDFS added that “those who wish to apply for benefits should do so, with the understanding that benefits are not currently available,” and that “individuals who are currently receiving SNAP should monitor official social media and the DFS
website.”
Fremont County folks in need of food assistance can also contact their local DFS office or call 2-1-1 for local resource information.
The WDFS has also provided a list of frequently asked questions that those in need may have, which can be found here.
Local Resources
While the issue appears to be in a holding pattern as judges attempt to ensure the payments are still made in November, many programs, nonprofits, and food banks continue to act as resources for the community and those affected by the lack of payments.
Some of these resources include:
Lander
- Care and Share Food Bank, 281 Garfield Street, 307-332-7364, open Tue/Wed/Thu from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM and from 5-6 on Thursdays
- Methodist Emergency Food Pantry, 262 N 3rd Street, 307-332-7364, open Mon/Wed/Thur from 8:30 to 11:30 AM, and from 10 AM to 2 PM on Fridays
- Mr. D’s Food Center also has an ongoing food pantry
- The Good Samaritan Community Meal also provides free meals on most Fridays, now at the Meadowlark Market, located at 228 Main Street, click here for more details
Riverton
- Christian Food Storehouse, 219 N 3rd East, open weekdays from 2:30 to 3 PM
- Foundations for Nations, 702 E Monroe, 307-282-0325, open Tues/Thurs from 4-6 PM
Hudson
- God’s Pantry, 101 S 3rd Street, 307-840-4205, open Mon/Thurs from 9 AM to 12 PM and 3 to 6 PM
Shoshoni
- Shoshoni Food Bank, 214 E 2nd Street, open Mon-Fri from 8 AM to 3 PM
Pavillion
- Pavillion Community Food Bank, 204 E Euclid Ave., 307-857-7339, “call for distribution dates”
Arapaho
- Northern Arapahoe Mobile Food Distribution, Arapahoe School (445 Little Wind River Bottom Road), 307-851-9779, available on the 4th Monday of every month from 1 to 3 PM
Fort Washakie
- Eastern Shoshone Mobile Food Distribution, 15230 US Highway 287, 307-332-6805, available on the 4th Monday of every month from 12 to 3 PM
Dubois
- St. Thomas Episcopal Church Food Bank, 9 South 1st Street, 307-455-2313, open Saturdays from 10 AM to 12 PM
- The Dubois Chamber of Commerce also announced today that an update will be shared tomorrow, Nov. 1, “regarding the community’s efforts to assist those impacted by the government shutdown.”
Local/national restaurants have also begun offering help as well.
Fast food chain Taco John’s recently announced that it will offer free meals, no questions asked, to anyone facing financial hardship, starting today, October 31, through November 2. Their full press release is below.
Taco John’s is stepping up to support communities affected by the government shutdown by offering free meals to anyone in need. From Friday, October 31 through Sunday, November 2, Taco John’s restaurants will provide one free Community Support Special meal per guest, which includes a beef or bean burrito and junior Potato Olés®. The offer is redeemable from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily and availability may vary by location.
This grassroots initiative began with a single franchise group and quickly ignited across the Taco John’s system, demonstrating the deep local ties and generosity of franchise owners. Many Taco John’s operators live and work in the towns they serve, with some having grown up in the business.
“We’re proud to be giving back to our communities who have supported us since 1969,” said Heather Neary, President & CEO of Taco John’s International. “Our vision is to be the community’s first choice for tacos and burritos, and this effort is a reflection of that commitment.”
In addition to the free meal initiative, the Taco John’s Foundation will make a donation to local food banks for every Taco Bravo® sold on Thursday, November 6th. The Taco Bravo, recently named the best fast food taco in the U.S. by USA Today*, has long been a staple of Taco Bravo Thursdays promoted by many restaurants.
This dual effort highlights Taco John’s ongoing dedication to supporting its communities—not just through great food, but through meaningful action.
On Thursday, October 30, the Riverton Ichiban Japanese Steakhouse was giving away free meals to those in need (Note: This was on Thursday, and there is no indication if it will be an ongoing effort; check their Facebook page below for any updates).
If you are aware of a business, program, nonprofit, food bank, or any other entity that is providing resources to individuals in need, whether temporarily during the shutdown or as an ongoing endeavor, please email us at hello@county10.com. We will update this post with the information you provide.