Wyoming businessman and former gubernatorial candidate Foster Friess and his wife are donating $250,000 to Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies, a donation that was matched by another Jackson resident.
Friess, in a newsletter to his group of supporters “Foster’s Outriders,” announced he and his wife Lynn are making the donation to help the food bank provide assistance to those who have seen their income cut by the coronavirus epidemic.
On Easter Sunday, Henry “Hank” McKinnell of Jackson matched the Friess grant with an additional $250,000 for the Wyoming Food Bank. McKinnell is a former CEO of Pfizer.
“The virus impacts almost all of us,” Friess said. “Our main focus, however, must be the 10 million of our fellow Americans who are without jobs. We must guard against the tendency to allow recent stock market declines to make us less generous to those who need financial support.”
Friess suggested that people “think of ways you can help…hire an unemployed caterer to cook meals for you a few times each week? Pay her to cook food for folks quarantined at home? Add that deck you considered? Remodel your bathroom? Utilize restaurants’ pick up/delivery service and give a generous tip?”
“Others of you who still have jobs and income could consider donating $25 or $50 to a food bank,” he added.
The Wyoming Food Bank serves all 23 of Wyoming’s counties, frequently partnering with local churches. The address of the Wyoming Food Bank of the Rockies is Box 1540, Evansville, WY 82636-1540. Their phone number is 307 265 2172.
Friess also announced he is donating $250,000 to create $2,000 scholarships for those wishing to pursue a career in the trades.
Friess said his Foster’s Outriders Scholarships for the Trades will be available not only to new students, but those now unemployed and eager to retrain for a new career, and those already enrolled but struggling to pay tuition. He asked applicants to coordinate directly with the financial aid offices of the state’s eight community colleges.
“Please share this opportunity with anyone for whom a traditional college experience is not the ideal choice,” he said. He suggested applicants can see available courses by visiting the following schools online:
Sheridan College
Gillette College
Casper College
Central Wyoming College
Western Wyoming Community College
Eastern Wyoming College
Laramie County Community College
Northwest College
(Editor’s note: Foster Friess is a primary financial contributor to the Cowboy State Daily.)
