I have just read an article in nbc11new.com entitled, “Demand at Grand Junction food banks skyrocketing”. With the economic situation across the nation worsening, even the tough are finding themselves in need of some extra help putting food on the their tables. According to this article the Food Bank of the Rockies has seen a 40% increase in food distribution and in the last six months demand has doubled at the Western Slope warehouse. People who previously would not have needed any help with paying their bills or feeding their families are now turning to food banks to help make ends meet. Many Colorado food pantries are reporting that there are a lot of first timers looking for help.
It seems that before we fell on economic problems, the majority of people who went to food banks were either poor or lower middle class residents. Over the last year, food pantries have seen more and more middle and upper middle class families in need of help. Now more than ever, our local food pantries need help in order to help those in need.
The Food Bank of the Rockies has many different programs that help people of all ages meet their nutritional needs including Kids Cafe, after school snacks for tutoring, Totes of Hope™-Children, Totes of Hope™-Seniors, Denver’s Table Food Rescue Program, Government-Subsidized Food Programs, The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP). If you would like to know more about the Food Bank of the Rockies or any of these programs, please visit their webpage. Please click to find out more about the Western Slope Food Bank and how you can help local Western Slope families in need.
At a time when things are becoming increasingly difficult, it is more important than ever for communities to come together and help those who will need a little extra help getting through these trying times.
