Laramie, WY — Feeding Laramie Valley, a longtime food‑security nonprofit housed in a historic building near LaBonte Park, is confronting a severe funding crisis. The organization, founded 17 years ago by longtime community organizer Gayle Woodsum, has seen its staff and programs dramatically reduced after a series of federal grant cuts and policy changes enacted by the Trump administration since 2025.
Federal policy changes hit local food aid
Woodsum says the Department of Government Efficiency’s budget reductions and the cancellation of multiple grants have “hobbled” the nonprofit, forcing it to shed employees, suspend its composting program and halt construction of a commercial kitchen. A $116,915 grant for the kitchen project was withdrawn on the eve of construction, and by the fall of 2025 the organization estimated a $600,000 shortfall.
Programs scaled back or paused
The mobile pantry remains parked indefinitely, the composting initiative is on ice, and the once‑busy commercial kitchen remains unfinished. Seasonal AmeriCorps volunteers were lost after funding uncertainty, and the annual budget, which topped $2 million in 2024, has collapsed to “nothing on the table,” according to Woodsum.
Community response and resilience
Despite the setbacks, Woodsum describes the situation as a “major battle” that has fostered a new sense of camaraderie among supporters. Former employee Lina Dunning praised Woodsum’s “strength of character” and noted that the nonprofit’s gritty approach could inspire other Wyoming organizations facing similar funding cuts.
A recent fundraising push raised $13,000, enough to keep the Kids Out to Lunch summer program and ten weeks of weekly food shares alive. Weekly shares for residents continue, but the operation now runs with no year‑round staff; Woodsum remains the only unpaid founder.
Long‑term outlook
Woodsum hopes to secure a larger, sustainable investment to replace the dwindling federal support. She emphasizes that the organization’s mission—to provide fresh, healthy produce and empower residents in food production—remains vital as food insecurity rises across Wyoming.
While the Trump administration’s efficiency‑driven cuts have created immediate hardship, Woodsum remains determined to keep Feeding Laramie Valley’s doors open, arguing that the adversity can serve as motivation for continued service to the community.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
