Overseeing outreach packages that feed greater than 25,000 folks annually, John Ellis is aware of there’s quite a lot of want within the Greeley and Weld County space.
“Individuals can’t afford to exit and spend $100 on a turkey and all of the fixings and that type of stuff,” he stated. “So once we’re capable of assist them with that, a few of these persons are simply smiling ear to ear, thanking you the complete time. …
“It’s been one of the vital rewarding issues I’ve ever finished in my life having the ability to assist folks once they’re in a tough spot and to see the happiness and pleasure whenever you assist anyone out.”
For about 4 years, Ellis has run Residing Grace Baptist Church’s Lighthouse Group Middle and Meals Pantry, 4800 Hill N Park Drive. The middle, which operates a meals pantry 3 times per week together with a scorching meal as soon as per week, is considered one of 42 companies working with the Weld Meals Financial institution to offer vacation meals to folks in want.
Weld Meals Financial institution workers hope to gather greater than 5,500 turkeys this yr so companies like Lighthouse can present scrumptious vacation meals and discover some consolation and pleasure on Thanksgiving and Christmas. The meals financial institution will host its Hope for the Holidays Meals Drive from 9 a.m. to three p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, accumulating turkeys and fixings at 13 areas.
“We’ve seen the need continuously go up month by month,” stated Weston Edmunds, communications supervisor for the meals financial institution. “We’ve got lots of people who’re hurting and in want in our group. However I proceed to be amazed at the same time as you struggle emotions of exhaustion and also you see throughout you compassion fatigue, that there’s nonetheless so many caring folks in our group.”
Taking part areas embody the meals financial institution, Sam’s Membership in Evans, any King Soopers in Greeley, in addition to King Soopers shops in Windsor, Erie and Firestone, each Walmarts in Greeley, each Safeways in Greeley and the Safeway in Windsor.
In 2022, the meals financial institution set a purpose of accumulating 4,500 turkeys — a purpose the group exceeded by about 500. Meals financial institution workers hope the group will once more exceed the purpose as they proceed to see report numbers of individuals turning to the meals financial institution for assist.
Edmunds stated twice as many individuals are turning to the meals financial institution for assist this yr in comparison with 2022. Workers anticipate a big inflow of individuals on the meals financial institution’s month-to-month Saturday distribution this weekend. Common meals distribution will increase about 20-30% through the holidays, Edmunds stated.
“What mum or dad doesn’t need to give their youngster one thing for the vacations?” Edmunds requested. “And so what little cash they do have, they’re attempting to provide items and purchase common meals on high of that. … I really feel like we see much more folks in November and December partly due to that want but additionally simply that folks need to present that vacation meal for his or her children.”
Along with the meals drive this Saturday, turkeys might be dropped off on the meals financial institution at 1108 H St. in Greeley from 8 a.m. to five p.m. Monday-Friday. Wing Shack additionally accepts turkey donations for native meals banks via Nov. 22, awarding donors a $5 Wing Shack reward card and a $5 donation to the donor’s native meals financial institution.
Weld Meals Financial institution Chief Growth Officer Stephanie Gausch stated the meals financial institution continues to see extra new households accessing the meals financial institution.
“They’re of us who’re residing above the poverty line, however they’re beneath that stage of self-sufficiency,” she stated. “So there are quite a lot of of us … the place a $500 medical invoice or automotive restore or no matter rapidly turns into a disaster scenario, and you end up in want of assist.”
The Lighthouse Group Middle serves folks from throughout Weld County, together with folks in Greeley, the Milliken and Johnstown space and many individuals within the Hill N Park subdivision exterior Greeley and Evans borders — the place fairly a couple of households are struggling to get by, in keeping with Ellis.
By partnering with the meals financial institution — “a priceless useful resource,” Ellis stated — Lighthouse gives vacation meals for these in want. This yr, Lighthouse can even proceed working with a neighborhood dialysis clinic to offer meals for shoppers.
“Partnering with them was a no brainer to me,” he stated. “If you’re on dialysis, this can be your final vacation season that you’re round for, so if we might help and produce your loved ones collectively that one final time for that one final vacation you’re going to should spend with them, that’s simply priceless.”
The meals financial institution can even acquire shelf-stable meals gadgets for the vacations, significantly stuffing, canned inexperienced beans, canned corn, canned fruit, peanut butter and canned tuna or hen. For these unable to donate meals gadgets, the meals financial institution accepts monetary donations, promising to offer 75 meals to households in want for each $25 donation.
For extra details about vacation giving to the meals financial institution, go to weldfoodbank.org/holiday.
The meals financial institution additionally continues to want volunteers for its day-to-day operations. Workers hope those that can help across the holidays will discover a approach to proceed that help. Edmunds estimated the meals financial institution wants about 100 volunteers every day to function effectively.
“That is by far my favourite time of the yr since you get to see such a tangible illustration of group,” Gausch stated. “And it’s simply so good to have the ability to see your whole neighbors coming collectively and serving to each other.”
