Northern Wyoming News - Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years

WORLAND – The Christmas season is fast approaching and the Washakie County Ministerial Association is reminding people about the Christmas basket program which helps needy families and individuals have a Christmas dinner.

"Last year the Christmas basket program was able to help about 150 families and individuals," Washakie County Ministerial Association President Mike Martinson said. "We are also in need of donations and volunteers," he added.

Martinson became the Washakie County Ministerial Association President in September 2015. He is also a deacon for the St Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Worland.

To receive a Christmas basket, needy families and individuals need to meet a certain criteria and sign up at the food pantry, located at 620 Big Horn Avenue in Worland. A photo ID and proof of income is required at sign up. The sign up dates are Nov. 17, 19, and 21 from 8-4 p.m. "I need to stress that the baskets need to be signed up for on those three specific days, so that the food can be ordered and delivered in time," Martinson said.

The Christmas basket program runs hand in hand with the Angel Tree program, which provides Christmas presents for needy children in the area. "Last year we provided Christmas presents to over 200 children in our community who would not otherwise receive them," Martinson said.

The Washakie County Ministerial Association is funded by the local churches and funds many different needs in the community besides the Christmas basket program and the Angel Tree program. The association provides emergency assistance such as gas and or hotel accommodations to people. The association also provides assistance in paying rent and utilities for people if the money is available. The main program that the Washakie County Ministerial Association funds is the food pantry.

The food pantry in Worland is run by Ward Byrd with the help of two volunteers, Shauna Rohrer and David Reust. Together they help, on the average, about 70 families and individuals in the community each month. "We get one or two new people who come in each week and average about 70 per month," food pantry administrator Ward Byrd said.

The food pantry is always in need of donations of food but they also need donations of items such as toilet paper, paper towels, Kleenex, soap, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes etc. At this time they are running low or are out of items including toilet paper and paper towels along with food items such as juice, soup, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese and canned fruit.

"Anyone interested in donating to the Christmas basket program or any of our other services may do so by sending the donations to: Washakie County Ministerial Association, P.O. Box 851, Worland, WY 82401," Martinson said.

Food and toiletry donations can be brought to the food pantry at 620 Big Horn Ave Monday, Wednesday and Friday between the hours of 9:30-11:30 a.m. or by scheduling a drop off time by calling 1-307-347-6123.

"There is a need in this community," food pantry volunteer Shauna Rohrer said.