Additional FAQ CMS

The main pantry is closed on TEFAP distribution days.

The following are guidelines on donating food items past the expiration or best/sell by date:

· Canned items: Less than 3 years
· Other shelf-stable items: Less than 1 year
· Frozen items: Less than 1 year
· Refrigerated items: Less than 1 month

The best rule of thumb for donating food items is to only donate food that you would eat yourself.

To receive assistance with any of these, you will need to speak to one of our Case Managers. To make an appointment, you can stop by during walk-in hours or call (307) 742-4240. Due to high call volume, please leave a voicemail and our Case Managers will get back to you as soon as possible. Calls without voicemails will not be returned.

These items are not brought to the front of the pantry due to space restrictions; however, we can give them out upon request. Just let the staff/volunteers at the pantry counter know what you are looking for.

The items on the front-facing pantry shelf and in the pantry refrigerators/freezers are what is available each day. These items are brought to the front from storage as we have enough available. If you don't see it, chances are we aren't giving it out that day. Staff/volunteers cannot retrieve specific food items.

Interfaith cannot provide transportation, however, you may book a ride (in and out of town) with Laramie Connections at this link: https://www.laramieconnections.com/book or call (307) 206-0607.

You may show up on the day of TEFAP distribution and receive food without signing up beforehand. Individuals and households that have not visited the pantry before will be asked to fill out the Link2Feed intake form before receiving TEFAP items.

Monetary donations can be made here through our online payment portal. If you would prefer to donate by cash or check, you may mail your donation or bring it to 712 E. Canby St., Laramie, WY 82072.

Please contact our Executive Director by calling (307) 742-4240 or by emailing josh@laramieinterfaith.org.

On the distribution day, we will have premade packages/bags of TEFAP food set up in our parking lot. Please stay in your vehicle and staff/volunteers will sign you in and load the food into your vehicle.

All volunteers will need to fill out the volunteer application form. Once you submit the form, a staff member will reach out to set up an initial training. During that training, you will also create an account with our volunteer management software, which will allow you to schedule yourself for volunteer shifts.

Volunteers must be at least 14 years old to sign up for a shift without a parent/guardian, provided they have a parent/guardian sign a release form. Volunteers under age 14 may still volunteer but their parent/guardian must be present at Interfaith with them. Ultimately, volunteers must be able to complete the tasks asked of them and may be asked to leave if caring for their child becomes a distraction.

Yes! Those needing to complete community service hours with fill out the same volunteer application as typical volunteers. Community service volunteers are expected to keep track of their own hours sheet, and Interfaith staff will not store those records for volunteers. Please note that if you have been convicted of a crime against a child, domestic violence, or a sexual offense, you may not volunteer with Interfaith.

The income restrictions for TEFAP can be found here. Income level is self-reported, meaning that no proof of income (paystubs, award letters, etc.) is required.

Monday & Wednesday: 11:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday & Thursday: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Friday: Closed (except for TEFAP/USDA Commodities distribution)

The best way to support the pantry is through monetary donations. Interfaith can stretch each dollar donated to us through our partnerships with Wyoming Food Bank and local grocery stores, allowing us to be as efficient as possible with our funds.

In general, we are always low on the following items:
· Canned meat
· Canned fruit
· Easy-to-make meals (Hamburger Helper, Rice-A-Roni, etc.)
· Spices
· Condiments

· Unopened shelf-stable food
· Unopened refrigerated/frozen packaged food
· Fresh, uncut produce in good condition (no mold, rot, etc.)
· Meat that has been processed by a USDA certified facility
· Unexpired infant formula and baby food
· Dog and cat food

We keep track of dietary considerations in our secure pantry database. Make sure you have created a Plentiful account when you visit the pantry so we can record your dietary needs.

TEFAP, or The Emergency Food Assistance Program, is a federal program that provides food to low-income households. Interfaith, through its partnership with Wyoming Food Bank, acts as a distribution center for these items.

· Furniture
· Cookware/silverware
· Clothing
· Plastic food containers
· Egg cartons
· Books (except children’s books)
· Toys
· Medications (prescription and over-the-counter)
· School supplies

· Personal hygiene items (shampoo, toothbrush/toothpaste, razors, etc.)
· Menstrual products (pads, tampons, etc.)
· Cleaning supplies (dish soap, laundry detergent, etc.)
· Children’s books
· Plastic and reusable grocery bags
· Empty orange/dark green pill bottles (please remove all identifying labels)

When you arrive at Laramie Interfaith, we will request that you fill out an application. We work hard with our partners to reduce and remove barriers as well as limit the information we gather. But, please understand there are requirements we cannot control.

Plentiful- When you arrive at Laramie Interfaith, you will be asked to create a client account by creating an account with Plentiful. This allows our team to register your household in our system so we can provide services and keep accurate records for our programs. Creating an account only takes a few minutes and typically includes providing basic household information such as your name, contact information, household size, and general demographic details.

HMIS - Our application for rental and utility assistance does require more information. You will need to bring documentation of any source of income and savings. In addition, we are required to keep copies of your lease, bills from the utility company, and any notice of disconnect or eviction (notice to quit).

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The food we receive to distribute varies each month, and we are unable to guarantee a specific food item will be available.

Volunteers mainly assist in running our pantry. This consists of checking in visitors to the pantry, distributing food, and organizing/cleaning the pantry. Volunteers may also assist with data entry, filing, and other office work. If you have a specific skill that you would like to volunteer, please reach out to volunteer@laramieinterfaith.org to see if we have an opportunity!

TEFAP distribution is the Friday after the 4th Thursday every month, except when holidays interfere.

Monday & Wednesday: 11:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Tuesday & Thursday: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Friday: Closed (except for TEFAP/USDA Commodities distribution)

We ask that you bring your donation during the pantry’s hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. If you need assistance bringing your donation into the pantry, staff/volunteers will be happy to assist you. Please do not leave donations outside.

Anyone can access the pantry. You do not need to be an Albany County resident and there are no income restrictions for the main pantry. The TEFAP program is income restricted – see the TEFAP FAQ below to learn more.