Dear Hunger Relief Partners,
As we analyze the findings from our fiscal year ending in June, we want to take a moment to celebrate the remarkable work we’ve achieved together. Your dedication, hard work, and unwavering passion have been the driving force behind our collective success in reducing hunger across the Western Slope. We recognize that it’s your efforts that make all this magic happen, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
Over the past year, our collaboration has yielded incredible results. Through the Colorado Emergency Food (CEF) Grant program, we distributed more than 1.8 million pounds of food on the Western Slope, including over 161 unique items. It has been a joy to see these items tailored to meet the specific needs of our communities, thanks to your invaluable feedback and cooperation.
In fiscal year 2024, together we distributed more than 12.7 million pounds of food to our Western Slope communities. and 21% more food compared to the previous year.
Volunteers have been instrumental in making these achievements possible. Last fiscal year, volunteers at the Western Slope Etkin Family Distribution Center contributed more than 20,400 hours of their time to nourishing their neighbors, an 88% increase from the previous year. Their dedication is equivalent to the work of almost 10 full-time employees, highlighting the immense impact of their commitment. We are proud that they essentially work for you, our partners, and are incredibly appreciative of their efforts. We acknowledge that you must surely feel the same about your amazing teams and recognize the passion and drive they bring to support the mission to end hunger.
The need for our services continues to grow, and we know that you are experiencing these increases as well. Feeding America’s 2024 Map the Meal Gap report reveals that 1 in 7 children and 1 in 8 people across the Western Slope experience food insecurity. These statistics underscore the urgent need for our continued efforts and the importance of our mission.
At Food Bank of the Rockies, we aspire to meet individuals where they are, providing the foods they need based on their unique circumstances and culture. Thank you for sharing this dignity and empathy daily with the neighbors of our community. Together, we will continue to ignite the power of community to nourish people facing hunger.
Warmly and with pride for your contributions,
The Western Slope Food Bank of the Rockies Team
Important Dates
August Dates to Remember
- August 9 – Closed for Staff Appreciation Day: There will be no deliveries, pick-ups, emails or phone service this day
**Friendly reminder to always alert us to scheduled closures if they differ from your normal deliveries. Our drivers appreciate the notice and can support others during these schedule changes.
Advocacy/Policy Update
Get Involved!
You can make a difference by speaking up and speaking out against hunger and its root causes. Are you interested in getting more involved in advocacy? Fill out this form to learn more and take action! https://forms.office.com/r/2sauRbHR0n
NEW: Feeding Colorado Mission and Vision Statements
Feeding Colorado is pleased to announce our new mission and vision statements, which will guide our work moving forward.
The mission of Feeding Colorado, which represents the five Feeding America food banks in the state, is to improve food security in Colorado through policy, advocacy, partnership, and education.
Our vision is a future where everyone in Colorado has equitable access to the food they need to thrive.
Farm Bill
Feeding Colorado continues to engage with our congressional delegation to promote the network’s priorities in the farm bill. As committee chairs in the House and Senate release their farm bill frameworks, Feeding Colorado is working closely with national partners to flag concerns and opportunities for the Colorado delegation.
Click this link for more information from Feeding America.
Click here to see our press statements about recent versions of the farm bill from the House and Senate Agriculture Committees.
Map the Meal Gap
Feeding America’s recently released Map the Meal Gap Study is the only national study to provide county-level estimates of food insecurity and food costs. This powerful tool shows that 670,000 Coloradans do not have access to enough food. Learn more and see the tool here.
Feeding Colorado Presentations
Would you like to have Feeding Colorado staff present to your agency or local coalition on our role, state priorities, and how to get involved? If so, please reach out to Mandy Nuku at mnuku@feedingcolorado.org to schedule.
Colorado Emergency Funds – that’s a wrap!
In May 2023, Food Bank of the Rockies received $5.4 million and another $1.1 million in January 2024 in Colorado Emergency Funds (CEF). These funds were used to purchase food products for our Hunger Relief Partners to order and make available to neighbors in need. The items we ordered were based on input from our partners: what you wanted most, how much you would need, and at what frequency.
June 30 was our deadline to spend these funds. WOW — what a year it’s been! We heard from so many of you that these items made available to you at no cost really helped stretch your budget.
In summary, 486 partners ordered and distributed 9.7 million pounds made up of 161 unique items purchased with the Colorado Emergency Funds. On the Western Slope, over 1.8 million pounds of CEF product was distributed. Our collaboration on fine-tuning these items to fit your specific needs was a joy to watch come to fruition.
It was mentioned in the June newsletter that the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) recently allocated $3 million in funding for food assistance per year over the next five years through House Bill 2024-1407, which creates the Community Food Assistance Provider Grant Program. This means that the Food Pantry Assistance Grant and Food Bank Assistance Grant programs will merge to support all qualifying emergency food assistance providers with funding for the procurement and distribution of nutritious foods in Colorado communities while also supporting local growers.
At the time this month’s newsletter was being put together, we had not received updates on the new funding. We will update you as soon as we can. Thank you for your ongoing partnership, understanding, and support.
Partner Support
Electronic Statements Coming Soon!
Beginning with July Account Statements (dated mid-August), Food Bank of the Rockies will begin sending statements electronically by email. This new capability is due to a recent upgrade to CERES, our partner billing and inventory system. E-statements will be sent to the email address we have on your partner account, typically the primary contact with your organization. If an update to this email address is needed, please contact Jill Davis at jilldavis@foodbankrockies.org. E-statements will be sent from customerservice@foodbankrockies.org. Please add this email address to your contacts to ensure successful delivery. Thank you for supporting this new process and our continuing efforts to be more sustainable. We believe it will have a positive impact on our operations and the environment.
NeoGov Food Safety and Civil Rights Trainings
Every year, we require at least one person per Hunger Relief Partner to take two online training courses: Food Safety Training and Civil Rights Training. Both of these courses are also available in Spanish. You should have recently received communication from the Partner Support team about taking these two courses for this year. If you need assistance logging into your NeoGov account to take the training courses, please reach out Jill Davis at jilldavis@foodbankrockies.org. The deadline to complete both courses is August 31. Please keep your account with us active and take these courses by the deadline. Failure to do so may result in your account being placed on hold.
While you’re there, take a look at some of the new training courses we have available: Building Belonging and De-Escalation and Conflict Management.
Food for Kids Update
CACFP Applications Now Open!
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) offers nutritious meals for your afterschool program in areas where 50% or more of the children are eligible for free/reduced meals. This program is offered at no cost to our partners, and we provide all training and supplies needed for meal service.
You can find the CACFP application here: https://medialibraryfbr.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/30195847/2024-2025-CACFP-Application-FINAL.pdf
If you are interested in applying for CACFP or have any other questions, please email FFK@foodbankrockies.org and someone on the Food for Kids team will be in touch with you!
CRFI Update
Culturally Responsive Holiday Reminders
- Ukrainian Independence Day (8/24/24):
Aside from state-sanctioned festivities, Ukrainians attend outdoor concerts, parties with lots of food, and reenactments of Kyivan Rus Traditions to commemorate the Declaration of Independence from Russia in 1991. Grilled meat and vegetables, fresh ripe berries (or frozen cherries for pie making), and fruits (such as watermelon) are widely consumed during the celebration. BBC provided a great piece entailing the top five comfort foods of Ukraine concerning the current situation:
https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230224-five-comfort-foods-to-celebrate-ukraine
- Ethiopian New Year (9/11/24)
- Mawlid (9/15-9/16/24)
- Mid-Autumn Festival (9/17/24)
- Ethiopian Meskel (9/27/24)
- National Hispanic Heritage Month – September
Heads up: September is packed with festivities! We will provide more details next month, but if you want to get a head start:
For Ethiopian neighbors, stock up on teff flour, meat (beef, chicken, or goat), and green coffee beans.
For Asian neighbors, stock up on pomelo, sticky rice flour, and tea leaves.
It is never too early to mark the dates and begin planning now. And once again, don’t hesitate to give us your feedback or share your special moments! Email us at CRFI@foodbankrockies.org.
Staff Highlight
Ron Troester
In the heart of Grand Junction, a community stalwart quietly ensures that vital food resources reach the people who need them most. Meet Ron Troester, a cornerstone of the Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope team for the past four years. Ron’s role as a distribution specialist includes overseeing the meticulous logistics of TEFAP (the Emergency Food Assistance Program) and our Food for Kids and Totes of Hope™ programs.
Ron’s journey to this pivotal role is as diverse as it is inspiring. A Grand Junction local since 1947, he brings decades of experience to his current position. Previously a successful mortgage broker and business owner for over three decades, Ron’s career took unexpected turns, including military service during the Vietnam War. His time in the military, educated in supply management and stationed in Alaska, laid the groundwork for his future endeavors in logistics and distribution.
At Food Bank of the Rockies, Ron’s expertise shines. Tasked with managing the intricacies of government commodities, he exemplifies precision and dedication in maintaining strict compliance measures. His role often finds him in the freezer and cooler, where he coordinates and organizes TEFAP orders with unwavering attention to detail.
In a recent snapshot taken during a heatwave in July, Ron is captured wearing a winter coat, knit hat, and gloves — a testament to his dedication during long hours spent in the cold storage areas. His resiliency and adaptability mirror his life’s journey, characterized by a spirit of service and a thirst for knowledge.
Beyond his professional achievements, Ron’s life is a tapestry of interests and passions. An avid golfer and outdoorsman, he cherishes camping on the Grand Mesa and indulging in his love for hunting and fishing. Ron’s intellectual pursuits are equally varied, shaped by his studies at Woodbury College and guided by the philosophies of Guru Paramahansa Yogananda. His commitment to personal growth through meditation techniques like Kriya Yoga underscores his holistic approach to life.
Ron embodies the essence of community service and dedication at Food Bank of the Rockies. His multifaceted background, coupled with his unwavering commitment to excellence, makes him an invaluable asset to the organization and a true inspiration to his colleagues and partners alike. As we continue our mission to alleviate hunger across the region, Ron’s contributions stand as a testament to the power of perseverance and passion in making a difference.
Partner Highlight
Church of the Nazarene in Palisade
We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on our incredible partner, the Church of the Nazarene in Palisade. Serving as the only food pantry in Palisade, they have been an indispensable ally in our mission for over 20 years, having joined forces with Food Bank of the Rockies in 2003. Their unwavering dedication to serving their community fills us with pride and admiration.
Lee Duval is the energetic and passionate intake team leader at the Palisade Church of the Nazarene. Lee’s commitment to ensuring the smooth and successful operation of the church pantry is truly commendable. With a team of over 25 volunteers on any given pantry or TEFAP day, Lee takes immense pride in fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can contribute meaningfully.
One of the standout aspects of Church of the Nazarene is its embrace of volunteers with disabilities. Recognizing the unique contributions these individuals bring, Lee ensures there are suitable roles for everyone. Whether it’s verifying paperwork, answering phones, assisting in the kitchen, or training new team members, no one is left out. This approach not only strengthens the team but also provides a sense of belonging and purpose for all volunteers.
Lee, who has been the intake leader for over two-and-a-half years, speaks fondly of her role and the support she receives from Mrs. Dorothy Blanchard, the pastor’s wife. Dorothy, a pillar of the church, steps in whenever needed and offers invaluable guidance. The Blanchards’ long-standing commitment to the church is inspiring, with Pastor Don having led for over 30 years and Dorothy continuing to nurture the children’s ministry. Their 50th wedding anniversary on July 25 was a testament to their enduring partnership in life and service.
Dennis McKim, the food pantry director for the past two years, ensures that the pantry’s operations run smoothly, from ordering food to ensuring timely deliveries. Food Bank of the Rockies’ team had the pleasure of spending time with Dennis at the spring TEFAP conference in Vail. What a pleasure to get to know him better and feel his passion for the mission of hunger relief for his community.
Church of the Nazarene’s adaptability and prompt response during the COVID pandemic were exceptional, showcasing their flexibility and commitment to their community. They also stepped in to support the facilitation of Everyday Eats, food boxes for older adults, out of their location when we needed support. With roots deeply intertwined in Palisade, their partnership with Food Bank of the Rockies remains a cornerstone of our collective efforts to end hunger. Here’s to many more years of impactful service together!
This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Click here for full USDA non-discrimination statement.
