KJCT8.com - Grand Junction, Montrose - Weather, News, Sports | 1 in 8 CO families struggling to find food
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One in eight Colorado families are struggling to put food on the table. Local food pantries are experiencing that statistic first hand, as they struggle to keep up with the demand.
In October, Food Bank of the Rockies distributed a record 250,000 pounds of food. They supply several area food pantries, which have reported a staggering increase in demand.
Food Bank of the Rockies is also supporting a program that gives kids food to eat over the weekend, when school isn't in session. More than 1,000 kids are already enrolled in the Backpack Program. But, local agencies fear that may only be about half the number of kids who need the extra help.
If you need help finding food for your family, Food Bank of the Rockies says there are many resources in the area that can help.
For more information, you can call the Mesa County Info line at 211 from a land line or 244-8400 from a cell phone.
Over the last eight years, Doctor Randy Roman of Roman Family Chiropractic, has tried to offset holiday hunger with a Thanksgiving food drive.
But this year, he says there's been a noticeable drop in donations. In hopes of gathering more donations, Roman is calling on his colleagues in the community.
"Several different offices here in town are coming together to help spearhead this and there are several different agencies that are pouring into it but the demand is just so great," Roman explains.
Here is a list of the participating office:
Dr Roman: 2584 Patterson Road., Suite #D 243-8896
Dr Lonquist: 755 North Avenue 257-9199
Dr Sechrist: 2505 Foresight Circle, Unit #C1 263-9100
Dr Sheader: 2532 Patterson Road, Suite #15 254-2954
Dr Haitz: 1133 Patterson Road, Suite #3 243-1388
Food Bank of the Rockies will collect donations from the local doctor's offices Thursday. Ideal donations are non-perishable, kid friendly food items. Cash donations can also be made payable to the Food Bank of the Rockies.
