The LiftUp Food Bank in Steamboat Springs is about to undergo some big changes. They’re set to demolish the current building soon as they gear up for an expansion starting this June.
Food bank services will wrap up at the present location by 3 p.m. on Monday, June 1. After that, they will temporarily move to 1880 Loggers Lane, Unit D, on June 2 and 3. The new spot will open on Thursday, June 4, at 11 a.m.
Sue Fegelein, the Executive Director of LiftUp, mentioned that they haven’t nailed down the exact demolition date yet.
For context, LiftUp has seen a 67% rise in food bank demand over the past decade. Right now, space is tight, allowing only seven people in the food bank at once.
The Donation Center is also bursting at the seams, making it tough to transport goods to the Thrift Store. The expansion will nearly double the available space, uniting all operations under one roof.
To fund this much-needed growth, LiftUp launched a $5.5 million campaign last fall. They are currently a little over $1 million away from their goal, thanks in part to a generous $2.5 million challenge grant.
According to a recent report from Feeding America, food banks nationwide are seeing similar surges in demand, especially in rural areas, where challenges can be more pronounced. The data shows a 60% increase in food assistance requests compared to previous years.
With all the changes at LiftUp, community support remains crucial. For more details or to lend a hand, you can reach them at 970-870-8804.
For those interested in supporting the capital campaign, visit LiftUpRC.org/Capital-Campaign/.
