Weld Food Bank helps families in need

Apr 16, 2010

Weld Food Bank helps families in need

By Vanessa Dominguez
The Greeley Gazette

Last year the Weld Food Bank provided Weld County residents with 8.1 million lbs of food. According to a recent study, hunger and food insecurity are on the rise in Colorado, which may mean that the food bank will see more clients in the coming months. People from all walks of life visit the food bank including foster parents, low income families,
seniors, and families with children under the age of six.
One of the most vital services provided by the bank is the emergency food box given to families. These emergency boxes contain a nutritional menu of basic food staples to feed a family of four for three days. A family can only get one box per week and there is a limit on how many weeks they can receive them. Lisa, a recent client at the food bank, stated that due to cutbacks at her work and a delay in food stamps, the emergency food box has been her family’s only source of food for the past few weeks. Staff members at the food bank can help anyone who comes in determine eligibility for the emergency food box program.
The food bank also plans to add a Kid’s Café in what is now an empty room. The Kid’s café will be designated for after school programs such as The Boys and Girls Club and also for children that receive free lunches at school due to low income or are at risk of food insecurity. The café will be designed so that 5,000 meals can be made per eight hour shift. There will also be a possibility for culinary training.