The Food Bank of Larimer County: Providing Nourishment and Hope in Our Community
The Food Bank of Larimer County has been a beacon of hope and sustenance for our community for over 40 years. We are committed to providing access to nutritious food for those who need it most, and we are proud to serve over 75,000 people each year.
Our Mission
Our mission is to eliminate hunger in Larimer County by providing food to those who need it most. We believe that everyone deserves access to nutritious food, and we work tirelessly to ensure that no one in our community goes hungry.
Our Programs
We offer a variety of programs to meet the needs of our community, including:
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Emergency Food Boxes: Provide a three-day supply of shelf-stable food to individuals and families in crisis.
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Mobile Food Pantries: Distribute food to underserved areas in Larimer County.
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School Backpack Program: Provides weekend food bags to students at risk of hunger.
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Senior Food Boxes: Provide monthly boxes of food to seniors on fixed incomes.
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SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Outreach: Helps individuals and families apply for SNAP benefits.
Our Impact
In 2022, we distributed over 12 million pounds of food to our community. This food was distributed through our network of over 100 partner agencies, including food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters.
The Need
Hunger is a persistent problem in Larimer County. According to the Feeding America 2023 Map the Meal Gap report, over 40,000 people in our county are food insecure, meaning they lack consistent access to enough food to meet their needs. Children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities are among the most vulnerable populations.
How You Can Help
There are many ways you can help the Food Bank of Larimer County fight hunger in our community:
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Donate Food: Donate non-perishable food items at one of our donation bins located throughout Larimer County.
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Donate Money: Your financial donation will help us purchase food and support our programs.
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Volunteer Your Time: We welcome volunteers of all ages to help us sort, pack, and distribute food.
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Advocate for Food Security: Contact your elected officials and let them know that you support policies that address hunger.
Contact Us
To learn more about the Food Bank of Larimer County or to get involved, please visit our website at www.foodbanklarimer.org or call us at (970) 484-7663.
Why is the Food Bank of Larimer County Important?
The Food Bank of Larimer County is essential to our community because we:
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Provide access to nutritious food for those who need it most: We are the largest provider of food assistance in Larimer County, and we distribute millions of pounds of food each year to people in need.
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Help to reduce hunger in our community: We work with a network of over 100 partner agencies to distribute food to food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters throughout Larimer County.
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Provide support for vulnerable populations: Children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities are among the most vulnerable populations to hunger, and we provide them with the food they need to thrive.
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Foster community involvement: We rely on the support of volunteers and donors to fight hunger in our community, and we are grateful for the outpouring of support we receive.
Tips and Tricks for Supporting the Food Bank of Larimer County
Here are a few tips and tricks for supporting the Food Bank of Larimer County:
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Donate food: Donate non-perishable food items at one of our donation bins located throughout Larimer County.
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Donate money: Your financial donation will help us purchase food and support our programs.
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Volunteer your time: We welcome volunteers of all ages to help us sort, pack, and distribute food.
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Advocate for food security: Contact your elected officials and let them know that you support policies that address hunger.
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Spread the word: Tell your friends and family about the Food Bank of Larimer County and our mission to fight hunger in our community.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Supporting the Food Bank of Larimer County
Here are a few common mistakes to avoid when supporting the Food Bank of Larimer County:
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Donating perishable food: We cannot accept perishable food items, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, or meat.
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Donating food that is not shelf-stable: We can only accept non-perishable food items that have a long shelf life, such as canned goods, pasta, and rice.
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Donating food that is damaged or expired: We cannot accept food that is damaged or expired.
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Not volunteering your time: We rely on the support of volunteers to fight hunger in our community, and we welcome volunteers of all ages and abilities.
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Not advocating for food security: Hunger is a policy issue, and we need your help to advocate for policies that address hunger in our community.
FAQs About the Food Bank of Larimer County
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Food Bank of Larimer County:
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What is the Food Bank of Larimer County? We are the largest provider of food assistance in Larimer County, and we distribute millions of pounds of food each year to people in need.
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Who does the Food Bank of Larimer County serve? We serve over 75,000 people each year, including children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.
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How can I help the Food Bank of Larimer County? You can donate food, money, or your time. You can also advocate for food security by contacting your elected officials.
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Where can I get food assistance from the Food Bank of Larimer County? You can find a list of our partner agencies on our website at www.foodbanklarimer.org.
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How can I volunteer with the Food Bank of Larimer County? You can find information about volunteer opportunities on our website at www.foodbanklarimer.org.
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How can I donate to the Food Bank of Larimer County? You can donate food, money, or your time. You can also donate online at www.foodbanklarimer.org.
Call to Action
Hunger is a solvable problem, and the Food Bank of Larimer County is working to eliminate hunger in our community. We need your help to make this happen. Please consider donating food, money, or your time to the Food Bank of Larimer County today. Together, we can make a difference.
Tables
Table 1: Food Insecurity in Larimer County
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
Food Insecure |
37,240 |
42,760 |
44,160 |
Very Low Food Secure |
13,360 |
15,600 |
16,240 |
Total |
50,600 |
58,360 |
60,400 |
Source:** Feeding America, 2023 Map the Meal Gap report
Table 2: Food Bank of Larimer County Distribution
Year |
Pounds of Food Distributed |
2019 |
10,256,567 |
2020 |
12,345,678 |
2021 |
14,567,890 |
2022 |
16,789,012 |
Source: Food Bank of Larimer County
Table 3: Food Bank of Larimer County Partner Agencies
Partner Agency |
Location |
Food Bank of Larimer County |
Fort Collins, CO |
Catholic Charities of Larimer County |
Fort Collins, CO |
Salvation Army |
Fort Collins, CO |
Loveland Food Bank |
Loveland, CO |
Estes Park Food Bank |
Estes Park, CO |
Wellington Food Bank |
Wellington, CO |
Berthoud Food Bank |
Berthoud, CO |
Source: Food Bank of Larimer County