14 selections, $3,095 in donations
Since December 2023, Community Food Share has been selected to benefit from the King Soopers Fight Hunger bag program 14 times. In total, the organization has received $3,095 in donations to continue eliminating barriers to fresh and nutritious food in Boulder and Broomfield counties.
Tell us about Community Food Share.
We are a Feeding America food bank that services Boulder and Broomfield counties. Our mission is to provide individuals and families in need with access to nutritious food while promoting long-term solutions to hunger in our community. Community Food Share was founded in 1981, so we are an established resource in our community. We may be a small food bank, but we’re mighty.
We may be a small food bank, but we’re mighty.
What services do you provide to the community?
We serve our community through our Hunger Relief Network, which includes our internal programs and 42 partner agencies across both counties.
Our partner agencies receive food from us on a schedule that works for them, and they then take the food and distribute it directly to the neighbors they serve. For our partners, we serve as a central hub for food distribution, and they serve as the direct outlets to neighbors in need.
For our partners, we serve as a central hub for food distribution, and they serve as the direct outlets to neighbors in need.
We have an onsite pantry, which is one of my favorite services. We believe in the power of choice. People get to shop for themselves and choose what items they will take. It is really important that individuals get the power to decide for themselves what they are going to eat, especially if someone has dietary restrictions.
When you’re going through a hard time, having to go to a food pantry can be challenging. If you’ve never been here before, it can feel overwhelming. Coming to a place that looks like a grocery store helps to bring back a sense of humanity. Food is a human need for all of us.
In addition to the onsite pantry, we have mobile food pantries. Our Mobile Pantry brings food out into the communities we serve, making it more accessible for our neighbors to receive the nourishment they need. With a bi-weekly schedule of rotating locations, this program ensures we extend our reach to serve as many neighbors as possible.
Our Blue Spruce Program is a program for adults who are 60 years old and older. This program provides groceries to older adults twice a month. Food choices include fresh produce, milk, meat and frozen items, deli products, eggs, bread, shelf-stable pantry items, and other nutritious options.
Community Food Share also has a program to help with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) application process. We either take applications over the phone or help folks when they come to us and need assistance.
How has Community Food Share used the donations from the King Soopers Fight Hunger bag program to further its mission?
We have used the funds we’ve received to procure and distribute fresh produce, high-quality proteins, lean meats, and dairy products. We’ve been able to use the funds by distributing them to different areas as needed. When we receive a donation check, we allocate the funds to whichever category may be lacking.
Tell us a story about a program, service, or initiative that the donations from the King Soopers Fight Hunger bag program have supported.
The stories come every single week. At the onsite pantry, we see families, college students, and individuals of all ages and walks of life. Each comes through the pantry to bring home some fresh produce, protein, and other items.
Here is a quick quote from a neighbor who shops at our onsite pantry:
“Everyone was kind and helpful. I didn’t feel looked down upon for needing help, and to be able to get fresh fruit and produce along with items like bread, milk, and potatoes is such a huge blessing. My family was able to have a wonderful and balanced meal tonight for the first time in a while. So grateful to have found this place. Thank you!”
Some of the people who come to Community Food Share are initially worried about the stigmas that come with needing food assistance. But we truly believe in the power of food; it always unites people. With food, there is not a language barrier. You can invite people over and share food with anyone. Food is healing as well. When you’re sick, you have to have food.
At the onsite pantry, we see families, college students, and individuals of all ages and walks of life.
With these funds, we can have fresh produce, dairy, and protein and continuously distribute food to people who need it, sparking beautiful moments every day.
Have you noticed any changes in community awareness or support since becoming involved in the King Soopers Fight Hunger bag program?
We are able to have more of a presence since people see our name out there. They are able to correlate things a little bit more and recognize our organization as a partner of King Soopers. Having a connection between Community Food Share and King Soopers speaks volumes to people who may not know much about us. In turn, when people love Community Food Share, they are more likely to shop at King Soopers since it is a partner of ours in fighting hunger. This partnership has been mutually beneficial in many ways!
What advice would you give other hunger relief organizations participating in the King Soopers Fight Hunger bag program?
The biggest thing I would recommend is to build strong relationships with store managers. When you have that connection, the store managers better understand why you’re there and what your purpose is. They will then be able to help their staff understand who you are and what you do. It helps you to further your mission even more!
Interview with Nubia Saenz, Events and Culture Engagement Manager