TORRINGTON – The result of a recent summit, Goshen HELP has secured a location large enough to open a small food pantry. The local charitable organization purchased the building at 2510 West C St., next to Torrington High School, and plans to open its doors for case management, including rent and utility assistance, on Oct. 1, with a goal to open the food pantry soon after.

“We’re trying to provide a food pantry that’s available to everybody,” Goshen HELP Executive Director Kyle Borger said. 

In May, the Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies sent its last mobile food pantry to Goshen County for the foreseeable future, leaving hundreds of residents short on meals each day in the valley, according to data the food bank presented at a local food summit last month.

“Existing food pantries aren’t able to increase to meet the demand,” Borger said. “We do see a lot of employed families that don’t qualify for assistance, but still have food insecurity. Our goal is to use local donations and food rescue to be able to serve people who don’t qualify – although that isn’t to say there wouldn’t be processes and procedures.”

In addition to food rescue via area grocery stores, Goshen HELP is suggesting residents plant a little extra in their seasonal gardens and donate the extra produce to the pantry. The organization will supplement donations with products purchased from the Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies.

“What we’re going to offer depends upon how much the community supports it,” Borger said. “Our goal is to be open at least