CJ Day – Staff Writer
Laramie Interfaith-Good Samaritan, a local community outreach organization, will host a fall festival to celebrate the grand opening of their new offices Sept. 7.
“We really wanted to celebrate us moving to this new location,” said Mike Vercauteren, director of Laramie Interfaith. “This move means a lot to us, it’s a big step up for this organization.”
Previously operating out of the Laramie Civic Center, Laramie Interfaith moved to a new location at 712 Canby Street in August. For the first time in 22 years, they are now working out of a location they own.
“The new location is a much better fit for our programs,” said Vercauteren. “There’s 50 percent more space for storage, but it’s more compact. We’re now more able to develop relationships with the people we serve.”
The fall festival kicks off at 9:30 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m. and will feature speeches from both Wyoming First Lady Jennie Gordon and Laramie Mayor Joel Shumway. In addition, live music, barbecue and 15 of Laramie Interfaith’s community partners will have booths to inform the public about their services. Laramie Interfaith members will be offering tours of their new facility
The highlight of the day, Vercauteren said, will be the 5K race. In previous years, Laramie Interfaith hosted a 5K ‘Walk, Run, Or Wheel’ race in the spring, but moved it this year to coincide with the fall festival. The race was more casual, but there are some major changes this year. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with the race starting at 10 a.m.
“This year, it’s an actual qualifying race for other races,” said Vercauteren. “It’s all going to be timed and made official for people who want to go on and do bigger races.”
For those who are less athletic, there will also be a ‘Slacker Race’ at the same time. Rather than running the whole 5K, slackers can walk a half-kilometer course with a donut break in the middle. Registration is still open for both races on Laramie Interfaith’s Facebook page.
Laramie Interfaith plans to feed about 500 people on Saturday, but that’s small compared to their usual operations. The organization operates a food pantry which gives out 25,000 lbs. of food a month to local people in need.
In addition to its food pantry, Laramie Interfaith offers help with financial crises and case management for struggling families.
“We know the statistics for economic poverty, but what we don’t know is how many people go without nutritious food in Laramie,” said Vercauteren “I’d estimate it’s even more.”
The organization struggles to reach out to students, he said.
“We’ve been trying to reach out to students, but they’re too proud,” Vercauteren said. “Many are unwilling to take the help that’s out there.”
In addition to its food pantry, Laramie Interfaith offers help with financial crises and case management for struggling families.
