In collaboration with the “Wyoming Angel Accounts,” first lady Jennie Gordon’s Wyoming Hunger Initiative, the Mountain West Credit Union Foundation, and Dan and Cynthia Starks of Dubois; WyHy was proud to contribute to the settling of nearly $100,000 in student lunch debt throughout the state of Wyoming.

“I really feel, and many of the food service directors here do, that the debt is between the school district and the parents, and the children should not suffer for it,” Gordon said at Wednesday afternoon ceremony at the Governor’s Residence. “So, we launched the Angel Accounts program to help alleviate the situation.”

The Mountain West Credit Union Foundation partnered with Wyoming credit unions like WyHy to raise $40,000; including WyHy’s donation of $4,500. Dan Starks, founder of the National Museum of Military Vehicles in Dubois, and his wife, Cynthia, generously matched the funds raised by the foundation. And Wyoming’s John P. Ellbogen Foundation, Gov. Mark Gordon’s salary donation and multiple individual donations brought the total raised to $99,485.61 – the full amount of meal debt for 3,224 children in 28 school districts.

“Student lunch debt takes a toll on families, schools, and the community,” said Bill Willingham, WyHy CEO. “Having a hot meal at school is the last thing kids should have to worry about right now. WyHy was proud to take on hunger in our state in a tangible way, and we will continue to fulfill our mission of giving back to our community wherever possible.”