Dear Friend,

“Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.” Wilma Rudolph

When we first learned of COVID-19’s impact in our state, Food Bank of the Rockies quickly and drastically adjusted. We worked to ensure we could meet an anticipated increased demand for services while reimagining our operations to protect our staff, volunteers, and community partners. Without your enduring generosity and willingness to join us during this unprecedented time, our efforts would be falling far short of what the community needs. You are creating hope during a time of uncertainty.

Every day we see new faces willing to work with us to help the most vulnerable in the community weather this storm. Your outpouring of support has been invaluable to everyone at Food Bank of the Rockies and the countless people you may never see who are nourished from your willingness to help. “Thank you” doesn’t feel sufficient to repay you for the precious gift of time you have given us. Each and every person who has reached out is a hero to us and to our community.

Gratefully,

Food Bank of the Rockies' Volunteer Team

Food Bank of the Rockies is Exempt from the Governor’s Workforce Work-From-Home Requirement and Statewide Stay-at-Home Orders

Governor Jared Polis, announced on Wednesday, a statewide stay-at-home order for all non-critical workers, in efffect through April 11. Some local governments have announced stay-at-home orders through April 17.

Critical service providers, such as Food Bank of the Rockies are EXEMPT from these orders, and your volunteer services are needed now, more than ever before. Food Bank of the Rockies remains OPEN.

If you have signed up for a volunteer shift, one of our team members will reach out to confirm your spot the day before. Following their call, you will receive an email with important safety information, a Volunteer Agreement to print, sign and return, and Letter of Affirmation for Essential Voluntary Services. As of now, local law enforcement is not actively questioning people who are outside of their homes. To be prepared, we want you to be equipped with the proper documentation should you need it later.

Food Bank of the Rockies COVID-19 Response in Action

In the coming days, weeks, and even months, need will increase for our neighbors most impacted by COVID-19. Many have lost wages or lost their jobs. Those working low-wage jobs who are no longer receiving pay are especially impacted. The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment has already seen an unprecedented surge in unemployment claims and benefits may be delayed.

Under normal circumstances, Food Bank of the Rockies distributes enough food to provide 155,000 meals every day to children, families and older adults throughout our community. We anticipate needing to feed double that number for at least the next three to six months.  Not only do we need more food than usual, but the run on grocery stores has greatly reduced the amount of food “rescue” available (traditionally one-third of our food supply). We may need to triple the amount of food we purchase in the coming months.

While we expect our food supplies to level out in the coming weeks, these decreases have hit Food Bank of the Rockies hard. When our communities recover, it will not be at the level to meet the need. Because of the decrease in donated food, we must expand our purchased food program to approximately three times the amount of food than current levels. This is by far the largest expense we face during this crisis. Public food drives, which account for about 1% of our total distribution, are discouraged. We currently lack boxes, santitaion supplies, and people power to inspect, sort and re-box these items.

We have already adjusted our distribution model to adapt to the rapidly changing landscape. To remain flexible requires people and resources. We have set up large-scale mobile distribution points with drive-through models to increase the safety of clients, volunteers, and staff and ensure social distancing. We’re also creating new partnerships as needs arrive in our community. We’re working with Denver Public Schools to provide bags of nonperishable and perishable food for kids and their families and with DispatchHealth to provide essential groceries for their mobile healthcare staff to give to people who are food insecure and possibly homebound. We are also collaborating with food distribution companies and other nonprofits to help with deliveries and labor needs.

We Still Need Your Help

Volunteer Your Time

If you are healthy and not exhibiting signs of illness, and have not had recent exposure risks per CDC guidelines we need your help in our warehouse and at our mobile pantry distributions. To sign up for a volunteer shift and learn more, please visit FoodBankRockies.org/volunteer. We are practicing safe distancing and taking precautionary sanitation measures to keep staff, clients and volunteers as safe as possible per CDC guidelines. We are also in need of bilingual volunteers and have a specific need for Russian and Vietnamese speakers. If you have fluency in any language other than English please reach out to Info@foodbankrockies.org.

Give Funds

The need is extraordinary and unlike anything we’ve experienced. Our services are critical to make sure families have food. If you can contribute, please give. Our expenses have increased dramatically, and we need additional funds to ensure we have food and supplies to respond during this crisis. We appreciate your support!

IRA Charitable Rollover

Individuals age 70 1/2 and older may make direct transfers of up to $100,000 per year (and up to $200,000 per year for married couples) from individual retirement accounts to Food Bank of the Rockies without having to count the transfers as income for federal tax purposes. Please contact Jennifer Lackey, Chief Development Officer, by email or calling 303-375-5819 for additional information.

Spread The Word

Share our impact on social media. Every share, like, comment, and retweet helps us reach more people with important information. You can find Food Bank of the Rockies on the following sites: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Please help us spread the word about the vital work we are doing.

Do YOU, or Does Someone You Care About, Need Help?

Food is available. Please visit our website for distribution locations.

Food Bank of the Rockies is committed to serving our community and ensuring that we continue to meet the needs of our neighbors. We are grateful for your help!