TORRINGTON – A public meeting was held last week to invite input regarding the future of WYO Help. WYO Help has operated for many years in Goshen County and surrounding areas, providing food and other assistance through federal grants. This year, the availability and size of those grants, specifically the Community Services Block Grant from the Department of Health and Human Services, have been drastically reduced.

Kyle Borger, Executive Director of WYO Help, provided attendees with a brief history of the organization, an overview of other assistance groups operating in Goshen County, and a summary of current operations. Due to the decrease in funding, WYO Help has already been forced to lay off staff and close its physical county offices, except for the one located in Torrington.

Borger responded to questions from attendees, noting the WYO Help food pantry currently serves approximately 120 families each month in Goshen County alone. He also shared WYO Help would need about $3,000 in monthly donations to keep the food pantry operational. In addition, a committed volunteer base is needed to staff the pantry during open hours.

He emphasized a significant need for non-grant food assistance. By focusing on this area, rather than on federally regulated programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), WYO Help could continue serving the community without being bound by strict federal eligibility requirements.

Borger also presented recent data on food insecurity, which showed 16.2% of Goshen County residents, including 9.4% of seniors, are food insecure, despite the food assistance currently available in the area. The need is great and expected to grow. As a result, WYO Help is calling on the community to contribute financially and volunteer their time to help fill the gap left by reduced federal funding. Without swift and sustained community support, vital services may disappear, leaving hundreds of families without essential resources.

Another public meeting will be held on June 12, 2025, at 7 p.m. at the WYO Help Pantry on Main Street in Torrington. The focus of this meeting will be to establish a committee to manage the food pantry and continue WYO Help’s vital mission of supporting those in need in Goshen County.