Across the Western Slope right now, 1 in 8 people — including 1 in 7 kids — face food insecurity. That’s the highest rate of hunger in over 10 years and a reality that affects not only every county across the Western Slope, but every county in our state and nation. None of us can anticipate when we’ll need extra help to make ends meet, but we can be there for each other when that time comes. Here are some of the neighbors we recently met at our Orchard Mesa Mobile Pantry.
Crystal
Crystal attended the Orchard Mesa Mobile Pantry in November hoping to pick up some foods to serve on Thanksgiving, and was thrilled with the assortment of items she received. There was corn muffin mix, stuffing, and instant potatoes, as well as the usual staples of meat, fresh produce, milk, and eggs. Crystal lives in a household of nine, including brothers and sisters, in-laws, and nephews. She lost 40% of her right lung after contracting the COVID-19 virus in 2021 and requires supplemental oxygen. Due to this, she is no longer able to work at her former job of cleaning and maintaining U-Haul trailers.
Kelly
Kelly sat in his 1968 Dodge truck and waited for more than two hours after arriving early to Food Bank of the Rockies’ Orchard Mesa Mobile Pantry. His beloved pup, a black chihuahua named Billy, kept him company.
“I’m homeless; I live in a camper trailer,” said Kelly, a 63-year-old Grand Junction native who shared that he ‘bounces around’ between Mesa and Delta counties. “My truck broke down and it cost a lot of money to fix it,” he said. “I’m on a fixed income.”
A couple of months ago, Kelly sought out food banks to help supplement his groceries: “I didn’t have enough [money] to go to the food store after fixing the truck.”
In addition to currently being unhoused, Kelly also struggles with health issues, too. Two years ago he suffered a stroke, and in 2017, he had open heart surgery. The food he gets from Food Bank of the Rockies helps him stay nourished.
Ida
Ida, a 64-year-old Clifton resident, was attending the Orchard Mesa Mobile Pantry for the first time in November, after learning about the event from a friend. Although she continues to work, she doesn’t earn enough to pay both for food and the medicine she needs for her type 2 diabetes.
“Every little thing helps,” Ida shared.
Audrey & Bryson
Audrey shared that she is especially grateful for the help she receives from Food Bank of the Rockies ever since her 17-year-old grandson, Bryson, moved in with her two months ago.
“I’m grateful for everything they give — the meat, veggies, nuts,” she said. “I am so grateful to the donors. Food is so expensive. It’s depressing when I go to the store.”
While Audrey, 62, has a cleaning job, the work is not steady and she’s never had the extra money to accumulate savings. Her grandson’s mother recently moved to Texas, but he wanted to stay in Colorado where most of his family resides. His grandmother said she’s glad to have him.
“I lost my son — his dad — four years ago,” Audrey said. “It’s so comforting to have him here. He helps so much.”
Daryld
Daryld is a disabled veteran who served in the U.S. Army from 1965–1971. The 78-year-old Clifton resident and his wife are raising their 12-year-old granddaughter, whom they gained custody of after her mother died.
“It’s what God put me here for; it’s all I can do,” Daryld shared. “The food helps a lot. I look forward to the nice people who are here and helping us out. I never thought I’d have to use it, but Social Security only goes so far.”
Lisa, Amanda & Levi
Lisa began attending Food Bank of the Rockies mobile pantries two years ago. “It helps us get by,” she said, adding that she really appreciates the fruit, eggs, milk, and meat.
At the Orchard Mesa Mobile Pantry, Lisa was collecting food for herself; her daughter, Amanda; and her grandson, Levi. As a child, Amanda underwent brain surgery to treat cancer and has a disability. Lisa is her caregiver.
