The average food price has skyrocketed due to corona virus pandemic and recent events. The FAO Food Price Index has saw a fresh record high of nearly 160 points.
A shocking 60% price increase over the 2014-2016 base period shows that hunger is a public health issue of critical importance.
The most vulnerable demographic of society is taking the brunt of this economic pressure. Now more than ever, low-income families must rely on Colorado Free Clinics, Colorado Food Stamps, and food banks.
This guide will list helpful information about Food Bank in Denver County, Colorado and organizations that can help curb hunger, how you can use their services and where to find them.
What is a Food Bank?
Food banks are non-profit charitable organizations that assist financially vulnerable populations by distributing food. Their main objectives is to help low-income individual and families by providing food.
They will work through other 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations like food pantries and soup kitchens. Sometimes they distribute the food themselves via mobile pantry.
Food Bank in Denver County, Colorado serves as a single collection and distribution point for food donations. They operate much like a for-profit food distributor, but they do not use retailers. Instead, they may use church food banks, charities, and other non-profit food pantries to provide food to the people to fight hunger.
How the Food Bank Works?
- 1. Food is donated to a food bank.
- 2. Its stored in a big climate controlled warehouse.
- 3. Food Bank in Denver County, Colorado distributes food to various non-profits for distribution.
- 4. Food reaches to who are in need.
Who can use Food Banks?
Many Food Bank in Denver County, Colorado and food pantries are locally run, with others managed at the state or federal level. Qualification to receive nutrition assistance from food programs depends on the type.
There are different qualifying requirements, but many food banks have none. Just show up during their days and times of operation, and they will help if they are able.
Here are the tips while .
- It is highly advisable to call ahead before you arrive!
- Ask about any eligibility or documentation requirements they may have.
- If required, bring all required documents when you use their services.
Second Harvest Food Bank
Second Harvest Food Bank was the first one established in California in 1972 and is the second oldest in the US. It operates multiple distribution centers across the United States.
Impact of Second Harvest Food Bank is huge, It helps 85,000 Santa Cruz residents avoid missing meals and empty stomachs.
Second Harvest Food Bank in Denver County, Colorado is easing the burden of impossible choices for families between food, housing, medicine, and other necessities.
St. Mary's Food Bank
The St. Mary's Food Bank was a first local food bank ever established in the United States in 1967. The St. Mary's Food Bank mission is food security and hunger relief for all Americans.
The St. Mary's distributes millions of pounds of food to the hungry each year, It also operates its own food pantries to allow allow people to access food directly from their warehouses.
It also offer specialized after-school programs for kids and career training for adults.
Church Food Bank Food Bank in Denver County, Colorado
Church Food Bank Food Bank in Denver County, Colorado serve a hot, nutritious lunch 365 days a year, even in the face of terrible weather and ever-increasing demand.
Church Food Bank welcome anyone who is in need of a meal, regardless of the person's circumstance, with no questions asked. It also provide showers, laundry, mail, I.D. assistance and other essential services.
Feeding America
John van Hengel, the founder of St. Mary's Food Bank, went on to create a national organization for food banks. The Feeding America organization is a leader in the nation's domestic hunger-relief efforts.
The Coronavirus epidemic put even more pressure on America's most vulnerable citizens. Feeding America has helped serve 6.6 billion meals to date.
The Feeding America have grown through donations and other charitable efforts to be able to deliver much-needed food via food rescue, hunger relief programs, and disaster response.
Bienvenidos Food Bank
For more than 35 years, the Bienvenidos Food Bank has offered emergency food assistance to people in need. If a family is in crisis and needs food we are available no matter where they come from. Once a family has established themselves we continue offer on-going help for those living in our service area and assist all others to find the services they need closer to them.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (303) 433-6328 to book your appointment.
Address :
2224 W 32nd Ave,
Denver, CO 80211.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Denver
Help Residents of Counties:
- Denver
Community Ministry Food Bank
The purpose of the Community Ministry Food Bank is to provide emergency food for families and individuals who are in need of assistance. Boundaries: Community Ministry serves residents living in the 80219, 80223, 80236 and 80227 (Denver County) zip codes. Clients living outside these zip codes are served one time and referred to other agencies in their area. The Food Bank is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and Tuesday from 2-5 p.m. You must arrive 30 minutes prior to closing to receive services.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (303) 936-0469 to book your appointment.
Address :
1755 S Zuni,
Denver, CO 80223.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Denver
Help Residents of Counties:
- Denver
Crossroads of the Rockies - Food Bank
Our food bank is for families in need. All are welcome and the only requirements are a photo ID and something (utility bill) that confirms a current address. We serve two days a week individuals and families may come once a week. We serve approximately 55-65 individuals and families per session.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (303) 922-8772 to book your appointment.
Address :
2707 W Mississippi Ave,
Denver, CO 80219.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Denver
Help Residents of Counties:
- Denver
FOOD BANK OF THE ROCKIES
Food Bank of the Rockies (FBR) is the largest private hunger-relief organization in the state of Colorado. Founded in 1978, FBR was known as the Colorado Food Clearing House. Operating from a 900-square-foot schoolroom in Northwest Denver, the fledgling organization collected bread from a nearby Safeway store, our first food donor, and distributed it to Little Sisters of the Poor, our first partner agency. Today, FBR has extended its reach across Northern Colorado, providing food and supplies to more than 1000 hunger-relief programs. Since 1978, FBR has provided nearly 472 million pounds of food to our member agencies, which translates to 369 million meals for people in need. Last year, we distributed 41.3 million pounds of food, enough to provide 88,000 meals each day to children, seniors and families in need. FBR is a member of Feeding America. FBR has a staff of 112 employees at warehouses in Denver and the Western Slope. Additionally FBR has a pool of more than 10,000 volunteers, who last year donated 133,104 hours of time – the equivalent of 64 full-time employees! We run an efficient organization, using only 4 cents of every dollar for administration. 96 cents of every dollar contributed goes towards food distribution. And every dollar we receive provides four meals for our hungry neighbors. Food Bank of the Rockies is a BBB Accredited Charity and has earned a 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator.
Services provided :
- Prepared Foods
- Fresh Produce
- After School Snacks
- Senior Meal Delivery
- Emergency Box
Appointments :
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (303) 371-9250 to book your appointment.
Address :
10700 E 45th Ave,
Denver, CO 80239.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Denver
Help Residents of Counties:
- Denver
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federally run program that helps obtain badly needed food for low-income people and families. SNAP program is also known as Food Stamp.
SNAP benefits in Denver County supplied approximately 40 million Americans in 2018. It is the most extensive nutrition program administered by Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and is a vital component of the social safety net for low-income Americans.
In 2017, roughly 9.2% of American households obtained SNAP benefits, with about 16.7% of all children living in homes benefiting.
The program had used paper "stamps" or coupons in the past – worth $1 (brown), $5 (blue), and $10 (green). These were bound into small booklets of various denominations, to be torn out individually and used in single-use exchanges.
Free Food Programs Summary
| Acronym | Name | For Moms & Kids | For Seniors | For Food Bank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SNAP | Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| TEFAP | The Emergency Food Assistance Program | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CSFP | The Commodity Supplemental Food Program | No | Yes | Yes |
| CACFP | The Child and Adult Care Food Program | Yes | Yes | No |
| NSLP | The National School Lunch Program | Yes | No | No |
| SBP | The School Breakfast Program | Yes | No | No |
| SFSP | The Summer Food Service Program | Yes | No | No |
| WIC | Women, Infants, and Children | Yes | No | No |
FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)
1. 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.
2. What kind of food is at a food Bank?
Specifically, Denver County food banks often need items like:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup
- Canned fruit
- Canned vegetables
- Pasta
- Canned beans
- Canned stew
- Canned fish
3. How do you qualify for Denver County food bank assistance?
To qualify for food bank assistance you must provide:
- Current state-issued ID
- Social Security numbers of all household members
- Current electric bill to prove residence
- Bank Statement for income verification