Casper's boom times have created an interesting and somewhat troubling phenomenon best viewed from inside one of two cavernous chest freezers at the Salvation Army's downtown distribution center.

So many newcomers, lured by promises of high-paying jobs in the energy sector, have come to Casper in recent months that Salvation Army Captain Dan Wilson can see to the bottom of the freezer that normally brims with frozen hams, turkeys, chicken and roasts.

The freezer shares a room that, until this week, had been devoid of the donated staples normally seen inside the massive warehouse.

While chain supermarkets and restaurants have kept the Salvation Army able to feed its regular patrons, Wilson wonders if there are enough volunteer donors who can keep the pantry stocked with food for those who need it on an emergency basis.

This, despite a promise of food for anyone who needs it.

"If they are in need, all they have to do is come and see us," said Shelley Tryon, business administrative director and social services coordinator for the Salvation Army's Casper offices.

Last month, the Salvation Army provided food for 1,500 individuals in the Casper area. Those who receive food on a regular basis must meet income guidelines.

The organization survives on a combination of donated food from the public; a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency; the local Community Action partnership; and government commodities provided to the nonprofit.

In addition, the organization provides emergency food for as many as 30 families a day, many of whom arrive for work. These families receiving temporary assistance do not need to qualify.

"People are coming to Casper en masse for jobs, and there's not enough housing," Wilson said. "These are people who are trying to get established here, and they still need to eat."

In essence, the boom has created a short-term need that volunteer donors need to fill, he said.

The people coming are also needing to fill lower-tier jobs, and they don't always have the resources for basic needs such as food and toothpaste. "There are a lot of working poor out there," Tryon said.

And with a housing shortage, newcomers are often forced to spend much of their first few paychecks on extended-stay hotels or higher rents than they're used to.

As of Wednesday, Wilson said, the Salvation Army had enough food for emergency needs for the next month. After that, he wasn't sure.

They need at least a 3 1/2-month supply to project for the community's future needs as the holiday season approaches.

"That's the big concern," he said.

Which brought Wilson back to the storage room for emergency supplies, where there were stacks of cream of mushroom soup, a few dozen boxes of instant mashed potatoes, a handful of chow mein mixes, cocoa packets and rice entrees.

On shelves, rows and rows of canned soups, Gatorade and diapers were stacked - almost none of which was there last week, when an initial plea for assistance came.

One of the two large chest freezers nearly overflowed with bread, pizza and frozen bakery items, donated on a steady basis from local merchants and restaurants.

But that second freezer, the one that's supposed to be stocked with Christmas hams, roasts and chicken? So barren Wilson could stand inside it without stepping on anyone's emergency dinner.

The Salvation Army has been helping Casper's residents since 1919, Wilson said, and he was confident the community would come through soon.

The Salvation Army will soon send a mailer to encourage donations. Because, Wilson said, those who need food can't wait.