Colorado Pet Pantry Expands Its Pet Food Bank To Grand Junction
Posted: Feb 24, 2021 / 12:34 PM MST
Posted: Feb 24, 2021 / 12:34 PM MST
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. Colorado Pet Pantry is hosting a new monthly pet food bank serving the Grand Junction area. The first pet food distribution event in partnership with Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope Distribution Center will be held February 27, 2021 and will continue on the fourth Saturday of every month from 9 11 a.m. at Clifton Christian Church, 3241 F 1/4 Road, Clifton, CO 81520.
Volunteers from will be onsite for the inaugural pet food bank to help distribute food to families in need while also providing dog sports entertainment with their renowned four-legged stars.
The addition of the pet food bank in Grand Junction comes after recent expansion in the southwest area of Colorado including Dolores, Dove Creek, Durango, Mancos, and the Towaoc reservation in the four corners region.We are thrilled to bring these much-needed services to the Grand Junction area, said Eileen Lambert, Executive Director of the Colorado Pet Pantry. The addition of this pet food bank has been years in the making, and we are grateful to our partners and volunteers who make it all possible. Because of our monthly pet food banks, weve been able to keep tens of thousands of pets fed, housed with their loving families, and out of shelters.
Anyone needing assistance feeding their pets should visit coloradopetpantry.org and click get help to learn more.
About Colorado Pet Pantry
About Canine Stars
The Need Has Grown So Have We
There has been an undeniable increase in need in many smaller and rural Colorado communities, especially now. Our Western Slope services have gone from receiving two trucks of food products per week to upwards of 11, some of which are directly provided by the USDA.
COVID-19 and the 2020 Western Slope wildfires have heightened the need for food in the region since March 2020, and we have met this increased demand head-on. Figuring out how to double down on our distribution efforts during the pandemic was a challenge, but with community support, we have charted a new course. In the past year, we:
- Received over 62,000 pounds of fresh, local produce from the Colorado State University Western Colorado Research Center program to distribute to our Hunger Relief Partners
- Worked hand-in-hand with local partners and volunteers to meet the demand
- Distributed enough food to provide over 26,700 meals every day
All in all, we distributed more than 12 million pounds of food in the Western Slope in 2020. And so far in 2021, weve distributed over 10 million pounds enough to help provide over 7 million meals to our Western Slope neighbors.
In addition, we are focused on expanding the reach of our signature programs like Mobile Pantries Food for Kids, including meals, snacks, and Totes of Hope take-home food bags and home delivery services for community members who are high-risk.
What Happens At A Food Bank
Were glad you asked. As a food bank, Care and Share works to gather and sort food from multiple sources, distributing to our network of 282 partners in 31 counties across Southern Colorado. We make sure nutritious food gets in the hands of everyone who needs itwherever they are.
We receive donated or low-cost food from suppliers, community partners, and federal programs.
Our dedicated staff and volunteers sort and organize the food we receive.
You May Like: Good Shepherd Food Bank Locations
Change Lives With Spare Change
At Care and Share Food Bank, we understand that life happensbut hunger shouldn’t. Thousands of our neighbors don’t know where their next meal will come from. Your donation can be the reason they never have to wonder again.
Just $1 provides 6 meals
to neighbors in need across Southern Colorado.
25 million lbs of food
was distributed across 31 counties last year.
209,172 people
received the food they needed from our network of partners and programs.
4,927 kids
took nutritious food home through our Children’s programs
Full belliesfull hearts
Last year, we gave out more than 12,976 Send Hunger Packing bags.
Our Send Hunger Packing school program provides kids with a bag of food each week to take home to their families. Programs like thesesupported by donors like youmean kids like Xander have the food they need to learn and grow.
Food Pantries In Mesa County Colorado
Mesa County and Grand Junction food pantries help low income families. Volunteers and staff that work at the often charity run centers help people of all backgrounds, ranging from senior citizens to children, in an effort to prevent hunger.
Free, emergency boxes of food will often be combined with other support. There may be referrals to government programs including CSFP or food stamps. Many of the pantries also operate clothing closets or soup kitchens. Those locations will offer free Thanksgiving or Christmas meals, clothes, Christmas toys or food baskets, and more.
While less common, a few Mesa County food pantries may have financial aid. This would only be for a crisis, and the funds are combined with groceries and a case management process.
Nazarene Church Food PantryAddress is 3595 Front StreetPalisade, Colorado, 81526Call 970-464-7770Applicants need proof of income and photo ID. The Mesa food pantry may offer canned goods, such as soup or rice. The charity is only open Thursdays.
Canyon West Worship Center456 Kokopelli Blvd. Suite GFruita, Colorado, 81521Main phone – 970-858-9995Low income and working poor families applying for help need to live in Loma, Fruita or Mack.
Read Also: How To Donate Food To Food Banks
The Financial Aid Program Halts An Average Of 350 Evictions And Restores 650 Utilities For Families Each Year
Utilities: Guests may apply to our energy assistance program that is funded by the Energy Outreach Colorado Foundation.
for qualifying guidelines and a list of items to bring when requesting assistance.Between November 1st and April 30th, guests must first apply for Colorados Low-Income Energy Assistance Program . Applications are processed by mail through Discover Goodwill of Southern and Western Colorado. for an application and directions for applying between November 1st and April 30th.
How Do I Apply For Snap
First, fill out an application using one of the following methods:
- Apply online using the Colorado PEAK website. This is the quickest way to apply. You can also screen yourself to see if youre eligible for different programs like Medicaid.
- Print out an application in English, Espanol, or Large-Print. You can mail, email or fax the application to:
- Grand County Department of Human Services, P.O. Box 204, Hot Sulphur Springs, CO 80451
- Email: gcdhs@co.grand.co.us
The SNAP Program requires an interview. On your application, you can select an in-person or phone interview in the personal information section on the first page. After turning in your application, you will be contacted by an Economic Security Specialist to schedule an interview.
Helpful documents to bring to your in-person interview include:
- Proof of Identity
- Social Security numbers for all household members
- Proof of any income
- Proof of any non-work income
- Proof of any assets or resources
- Proof of any expenses
Recommended Reading: Food Bank Salt Lake City Ut
How Does A Food Pantry Work
Food Banks acquire large donations of edible but unmarketable food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Then they provide this food to family in a need.
Our vision is simplebring financial security, dignity, and savings to the millions experiencing financial stress.
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What Is The Difference Between A Food Bank And A Food Pantry
Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.
Read Also: Can Food Banks Give Out Expired Food
New Food Bank Of The Rockies Western Slope Etkin Family Distribution Center To Be Built In Grand Junction
New $10.8M Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope Etkin Family Distribution Center to be built in Grand Junction
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Food Bank of the Rockies announced the launch of a 10.8 million dollar capital campaign.
They are going to build a new distribution center on Long Acre Dr. near G Rd. and 23 Rd. in Grand Junction.
The project involves the new construction of a 50 thousand square foot warehouse and food distribution center. It will allow the Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope Distribution Center to relocate from its existing 28 thousand square foot facility in Palisade and scale up operations and efficiency. The larger, modernized space will allow the organization to distribute more nutritious food to people in need and will deliver more fresh produce to better serve its more than 145 partners across the western slope.
* CORRECTION: Pictured at 0:58-1:13 is Mayor Chuck McDaniel not Bruce Etkin *
Copyright 2022 KKCO. All rights reserved.
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Colorado Food Banks Hustle To Fill Shelves As Inflation Continues To Impact Supply Chain
Joanne Feaster knows what its like to be poor. She grew up in the small town of Clifton, Colorado outside of Grand Junction. She says there was a lot of love in her family but not a lot of money. They grew their own food to cut down on grocery bills and keep fresh produce on the table.
Its probably why Feasters determined to have a supply of fresh fruits and vegetables at the Clifton Christian Church Food Bank, which shes run for more than a decade. But inflation has challenged Feaster to think outside the box and do some hustling to fill her shelves. That could mean paying a visit to one of the many orchards and farms in the Grand Valley.
I can always go there and say, I dont have any fruit today. What can you give me? And theyll say, pull around back and load me up, Feaster said.
The food bank also provides staples like milk and eggs and household goods like toilet paper, which, along with fresh produce, have also gone up in price. Feaster said she also relies on grocery rescue programs, where local grocery stores donate surplus food but she said she refuses to sacrifice on quality.
I am very particular very particular about what we give our clients, Feaster said. We have a rule: If you will not eat it and serve it to your family, you will not give it to my families.
Food banks across the state are feeling the pinch.
Related: Watery OJ and dollar store bread: How some Coloradans are surviving inflation
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Food Bank Keeping People Fed Amid Inflation
This is the eighth year that Grand Junction High School has collaborated with the Western Slope Food Bank of the Rockies on a mobile pantry program for the summer.
Because of this summers excessive heat, this years mobile pantry, which is held each Tuesday at 8 a.m., has been moved to nearby Sherwood Park, which features shade from the trees and easy accessibility. Cars line up and down East Sherwood Drive to receive fresh food items from food bank volunteers, with drivers never having to leave their cars.
Cheyanne Gentry acts as the liaison between GJHS and the food bank.
Cheyanne Gentry, a volunteer with Western Slope Food Bank of the Rockies, directs traffic during the food giveaway at Sherwood Park on Tuesday.
She also serves as a mentor for the schools Interact Club, a District 51 program in high schools, which gives students a chance to engage in local, state, national and international programs, along with serving as tutors with Riverside Educational Center.
Gentry brings a handful of students, teachers, counselors and alumni to the park each Tuesday morning to help hand out food.
People need food. We have high school students who are homeless and we have high school students who dont have food, Gentry said.
Cheyanne Gentry, a volunteer and coordinator with Western Slope Food Bank of the Rockies, prepares bags filled with donated supplies at Sherwood Park on Tuesday.
Cheyanne Gentry and Ted McCune load supplies into a car at Sherwood Park on Tuesday.