‘Tis the Season
I have always loved the beginning of autumn. To me the majestic hues of the turning leaves coupled with the soft touch of a cool breeze always whispered promises of things to come — merry-making and song, feasts and family, faith-filled vigils illumined by candlelight. These were the blessings I grew to anticipate at this time of the year, and perhaps you have too.
Nevertheless, this work in which we engage has taught us that so many of our neighbors have a much different experience as the year progresses into its waning months. The chill in the air becomes a reminder that soon they will face the struggle against the elements added to the challenges to feed themselves and their family. Fortunately, there are people dedicated to sharing the warmth and hope that this season has promised to many of us. Those for whom this time of year is also a reminder to pause in the busyness of our lives and reach out to our neighbors in need.
So, I wish to thank you, our partner agencies, for your stalwart dedication to spreading the warmth and promise of the season to all who face added challenges in these coming months. In the 17 years I have served at Food Bank of the Rockies, I have never ceased to be amazed and grateful for your compassion, fortitude, and diligence. You have not faltered through the most difficult times of these past few years, and I hope you will always know the appreciation we feel for the work you do.
Thank you and Happy Holidays!
Joshua DeLong
Safety Compliance Manager
Important Dates
- December 7 – Quarterly CSFP Training session 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- December 8 – Orientation at 10:00 a.m.
- December 10 – Open 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
- December 15 – Orientation at 1:00 p.m.
- December 22 – Orders accepted for 12/27 until 3:00 p.m.
- December 23 – Orders accepted for 12/28 until 3:00 p.m.
- December 26 – Closed for Winter Holiday
- December 30 – FBR closing early. Pickups until 12:00 p.m. & FFC only until 11:10 a.m.
For a full look at the December calendar, click here
Feeding Colorado Continues to Welcome Legislators to Food Banks and Food Pantries
In October, six partner agencies around Colorado hosted state legislators for tours and site visits. Thank you to Love INC of the Yampa Valley, Twin Parishes, BeyondHome, Meadowood Church, Project Worthmore, and Haven of Hope who hosted these visits and took the time to advocate for people facing hunger in their communities! Our gratitude also goes out to the Members of the General Assembly who took the time to visit emergency food providers in their districts and see the important services our network provides. These visits will continue throughout November.
Advocacy and Public Policy Work
Feeding Colorado Online
Food Bank of the Rockies coordinates all public policy and advocacy work through our state association, Feeding Colorado. Visit feedingcolorado.org to keep up with policy updates, learn more about Feeding Colorado, and see how you can get involved!
Contact Feeding Colorado
Follow Feeding Colorado on Twitter (@feedingcolorado) for timely updates on policy that affects food insecurity in our state and across the nation. For more information about Feeding Colorado’s advocacy and public policy work, contact Sarah Gregory, Public Policy Coordinator, at sgregory@feedingcolorado.org.
Important Information and Updates
Partner Support
Inclement Weather Closures
As we move into the winter season, please be aware that Food Bank of the Rockies may make closure determinations. Closure information will be posted on our website and on our phone messaging system. Please continue reading for details on the weather-related guidelines for our pickups and deliveries:
For Scheduled Pickups — day of closure
- Partner Support will contact all partners with a scheduled pickup on the closure day
- Partner will have 3 business days from original pickup date to reschedule or product will be restocked
- Emails/text will be sent to all partners with a pickup on the day of closure if unable to be reached by phone
For Scheduled Deliveries – day of closure
- Partner Support to contact partners about canceled delivery
- Delivery to be rescheduled as soon as weather permits and per the schedule as communicated by Transportation Manager
- Partner Support to communicate reschedule to Agencies
Please also ensure that any necessary accommodations have been made to ensure that all volunteers and clients can remain warm and safe while attending a distribution.
Western Slope Update
If you are one of our partners in our Western Slope counties, please note that we’ve officially moved our Western Slope Distribution Center. We are in our new building in Grand Junction. Our new address is 698 Long Acre Drive, Grand Junction. Please come see us!
What Does a Pallet Look Like in Partner Express?
This is what the product will be when you order a pallet (gaylord)
Please pickup an item descriptions flyer during your next visit to our Partner Waiting Area at the 45th Avenue Distribution Center! And as always, contact partnersupport@foodbankrockies.org with any questions.
Government Programs
The Government Programs teams wishes to thank all our partners for their continued patience and support. We would like to announce our next quarterly training sessions:
TEFAP: November 17, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Join us by Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82434878915?pwd=Wm5OT0VvdHVmdXNtUVpIVy9yYk4wdz09&from=addon
EverGreen Boxes™: December 7, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30p.m.
Join us by Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83133269779?pwd=NEtxdW5GUWs1V0pmdHNqQjZIUlo0dz09&from=addon
Our quarterly training sessions for TEFAP and EverGreen Boxes™ will include information on program eligibility, inventory reporting, products, and our team’s responsibilities to best support our partners. Please join us.
We welcome any topics that you wish to discuss — please email Britni Stupin at bstupin@foodbankrockies.org to have your topics included in the agenda.
Food for Kids Update
With the holiday season approaching, CACFP and Totes of Hope™ partners should communicate all closure dates that may impact meal service/food delivery to Food For Kids staff. This helps to minimize food waste and the distribution of unnecessary supplies.
We are also continuing to accept applications for the 2022-2023 Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), providing meals to kids after school. As a sponsor of this program, Food Bank of the Rockies provides the food and administrative support at no cost to partners. Kids benefit from this program at all types of locations including libraries, rec centers, Boys & Girls Clubs, schools, and more. Interested partners need to complete an application and go through an approval process — training will be provided by Food Bank of the Rockies. For questions, call Kodi Phelps at 303-375-5868 or email kphelps@foodbankrockies.org
Nutrition and Community Insights
Recipe Tips
As the weather cools, warm up with a filling bowl of easy, four-ingredient Vegetable Chicken Ramen Soup. This one-pot meal is ready in less than 10 minutes. To access this recipe and others in Spanish, click on “Español” in the top right corner of our growing recipe library.
To submit recipe suggestions or other inquiries, email nutrition@foodbankrockies.org.
Community Insights
As the number of our partners using Link2Feed grows, the chances of our neighbors already having a client profile grows as well! Since client profiles exist on the network level, they can be accessed by any partner in our network without going through another intake process.
A quick search using their name, date of birth, or phone number will prevent the creation of duplicate client profiles. If they have a Link2Feed barcode card or client ID number card, that is a great indication that they’re already in the system and you do not have to issue them a new card! If a client profile already exists and this is their first time visiting your location, you do not have to create a new client profile.
Link2Feed is very good about alerting you to duplicates, using First Name, Last Name, Date of Birth, and Address Line 1 as key indicators. The Link2Feed User Manual is a great resource to learn more about managing the “Possible Duplicate” pop-up window that may appear when creating a new client profile. You can also reach out to the Community Insights team for addressing potential or missed duplicates at L2F@foodbankrockies.org.
Interested in LInk2Feed or exploring other ways to learn more about our neighbors? Reach out to the Community Insights team at L2F@foodbankrockies.org.
Partner Highlight
Eastern Hills Community Church has operated their marketplace food pantry since 2015. Like many agencies, they had to change course due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They adapted by switching to a drive-through model and seeing an increase in numbers — they now provide almost 400 food boxes and 1,200 hot meals a month. Their work would not be possible without their amazing dedicated group of volunteers who prepare and load the boxes and meals. Along with food boxes, they also serve a hot meal to their clients and pride themselves on serving the best free meal in Colorado. Along with food, they try to help with other services such as utilities and rental assistance when funds are available, clothing drives, and activities for children on special occasions.
Open Position Spotlight
The SNAP Outreach Representative will be responsible for promoting and educating eligible populations on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, previously known as The Food Stamp Program) to increase participation in metro and rural counties within Food Bank of the Rockies’ service area. This role will screen clients for eligibility and help them with the application process using the state’s online application tool, PEAK. In addition, the SNAP Outreach Representative will develop partnerships and infrastructure to conduct outreach and application assistance at community-based locations and Food Bank of the Rockies’ partners to provide greater access and minimize barriers for clients applying for SNAP. Apply here.
For additional job opportunities please visit us at: https://www.foodbankrockies.org/about/join-our-team/
Staffing Update and Counseling Support Information
Who’ya Gonna Call?
We realize that due to recent staffing changes it may be hard to keep up with who the best person to contact with any program questions is. We are doing our best to keep this list up to date. Please refer to our Contact Directory for an up-to-date list of Programs Department contacts here at Food Bank of the Rockies.
No-Cost Counseling Support
TherapyDirect from WellPower is a new way to get the urgent counseling support at no cost to you. Connect online with a professional counselor from WellPower at www.wellpower.org/therapydirect. No fees, no insurance needed. Available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Interpretation services on request.
