Food Bank of the Rockies Launches $12 Million Fundraising Campaign to Complete New Distribution Center: How You Can Help!

The Food Bank of the Rockies is on the verge of a major upgrade. Their new distribution center, set to open this winter, will feature innovative coolers, larger donation areas, and an impressive kitchen. This development aims to significantly increase the number of meals provided to after-school programs—but first, they need to raise $12 million to complete the project.

CEO Erin Pulling shared that they’ve successfully gathered most of the $75 million needed for the entire facility. Located just south of Denver’s Green Valley Ranch, this center is a timely response to rising food insecurity. A recent tax bill could disrupt food assistance for many people aged 55 to 64, complicating their access to help.

Pulling emphasized the urgency for the new building during a recent tour. Last year alone, the Food Bank of the Rockies provided food for approximately 417,000 residents in Colorado and Wyoming, mostly through local partners. They also run mobile food pantries and meal programs for kids and low-income seniors. Government grants make up $23 million of their funding, with the rest coming from public donations.

The organization has outgrown its current facility near I-70 and Havana Street, where it’s been for about 14 years. Despite the costs of the new building, it is expected to save around $500,000 annually by streamlining operations. This will allow the food bank to invest more in food purchases to support its partners.

A key feature of the new center is its ability to handle types of food that were previously off-limits. For example, it will accept produce stored on ice—something that was not possible in the current setup. Project manager Steve Kullberg believes this will make a big difference. They plan to break down large donations into smaller family-sized packages, meeting a high demand among clients.

Executive chef Jon Knight shared that this kitchen will be about four times larger than before. Currently, they produce around 2,400 meals daily for children, with plans to increase that number to 10,000 once the new facility is operational. The kitchen will have much more storage, making meal preparation easier and more efficient.

The need for such facilities is becoming increasingly critical as more families struggle with food costs. According to a recent report, nearly one in ten U.S. households faced food insecurity in 2021, highlighting the importance of community efforts like this.

Once fully operational, the Food Bank of the Rockies aims to expand its partnerships and increase outreach to help even more families in need. Their progress shows how local efforts can adapt to meet growing challenges within the community.



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