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.
Free Food Market Opens In Aurora
A new food pantry recently began operations in Aurora. Food Connect Colorado opened its doors July 8th to serve the citizens of Aurora and Montbello. Located on Airport Blvd., the free food market is open Thursdays from 10 am to 5:30 pm.
Aurora is underserved by free food resources. While there are many small pantries, most of them church-based, they are generally open only a few hours a week. Food Connect Colorado recognized the need and decided to operate a client-choice market open a full day to make it more convenient for people to shop for the food they need. Shoppers will find an assortment of fresh produce, dairy, bread, meat, and dry groceries.
Food Connect Colorado is also different from other food pantries in that they have a dual mission: to help the food-insecure and rescue food that would otherwise go to waste. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 30% of food in American grocery stores is thrown away, as much as 20 pounds per person per month. Organic wastemostly foodis the second biggest component of landfills, and landfills are the third largest source of methane emissions, a major contributor to climate change. Founders Liz Watts and Toby Levy saw the amount of food that was going to waste instead of to people in need and decided to do something about it. None of the food at the market is purchased it is all rescued.
Also Check: Good Shepherd Food Bank Donations
Free Food Pantries Soup Kitchens And Groceries Arapahoe County
Emergency food pantries are available for Arapahoe County individuals and families in need of free groceries, meals, information on government benefits, or personal toiletries. The primary centers are located below, but there may be others. Clients can contact one of these food banks near them or pantries in order to get more details on services provided. Find a list of agencies below as well as a toll free referral number at the bottom of the page.
The assistance ranges. Some callers can get information on the food resources offered or the phone numbers and addresses of a center that is closer to them. There are also free Meals on Wheels services. Many of the food pantries have limited resources and are open certain hours, but some may be open today. So it is recommended to call in advance. If a location cant meet the request, they will offer referrals to other options in Arapahoe County.
Many food pantries will only help people a certain number of times per month or year. However in aggregate they have successfully helped thousands of low income individuals and families get access to immediate services. In addition to offering free food, many offer other resources such as holiday meals, school lunches, and provide information on applying for government programs such as food stamps.
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.
Read Also: How To Donate Food To Food Bank
About Food Connect Colorado
Who We Are
We are a new 5013 food pantry and a partner agency of Food Bank of the Rockies, Denver. We hold a free food market every Thursday from 10 am-5 pm. No income requirements, must be a resident of the Aurora/Montbello Area. Every week, with the help of our valued volunteers, we stock our market with fresh produce, dairy, dry groceries, and bread and distribute it to people in our community.
Our Mission
The mission of Food Connect Colorado is Reducing Food Waste by Sharing Reclaimed Food With People in Need in Our Local Community. Your generous donations help us achieve our goals and fulfill our mission.
Thank you so much for supporting our mission to give help to people who are facing food insecurity!!
Find Aurora Co Food Banks Food Pantries And Soup Kitchens Near You
Homelessness In America is a free Aurora CO directory. We hope you find our list of soup kitchens, food banks and food pantries helpful. If you can help, there are currently a tremendous number of nonprofits in Aurora CO in need of donations, supplies, and especially volunteers.
We are constantly building the most complete list of resources. Many people and soup kitchens, food banks, and food pantries are in desperate need of assistance. If you can donate or volunteer, please use the contact information we have listed for each organization. If you are in need of assistance, we have also compiled an exhaustive list of local resources.
Before Visiting Your Local Food Bank, Soup Kitchen, or Support Center:
Don’t Miss: Facilities That Collect And Distribute Food Donations
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.
Free Food Market In Aurora Bridges Gap Between Food Waste And Hunger
AURORA, Colo. More Coloradans are in need of food than ever before. Food Bank of the Rockies said during 2020, the need for food in its service areas increased by upwards of 50 percent, and some months it climbed as high as 80 percent. Food Connect Colorado is working to bring those numbers down in this one area of the state.
Aurora is very underserved with free food resources, said Elizabeth Watts, president of Food Connect Colorado.
Every Thursday and the second Saturday of the month, the nonprofit associated with Food Bank of the Rockies opens its doors to a free food market. It acts just like a grocery store where people can come and choose the food and other items they need.
Thats what we strive for to have like a normal experience here that people can come in and pick whatever they want, said Watts. You dont pay for anything. Everything is free.
Food Connect Colorado distributes food directly to people in need. No income requirements, must be a resident of the Aurora/Montbello Area.
Also Check: Capital Area Food Bank Maryland
Food Banks In Aurora Co
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