Statistics from Feeding America on Chaffee County food insecurity. Screenshot from Map.FeedingAmerica.org
Salida and Poncha Springs residents will have the chance to help feed those in need throughout Chaffee County by donating food items during the Knock for Hunger Food Drive.
Bags will be delivered to homes in Salida and Poncha Springs on April 20 through April 22 with a request to fill the bags with non-perishable food items and place them on their porch. Food drive volunteers will then pick up the bags from residents’ doorsteps between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on May 5.
Knock for Hunger is a Chaffee County-based nonprofit organization. It is teaming up with members of the local Peak to Peak Pickleball Club to conduct the food drive. Food donations will support The Grainery Ministries, which is a nonprofit food bank that serves Chaffee County.
The food drive organizers were thrilled to collect 1,750 pounds of food last year and are aiming for a ton this year.
Food insecurity is a growing problem in Colorado. The 2023 Kids Count in Colorado report stated that 17 percent of households with children in Colorado say their children don’t have enough to eat because food isn’t affordable as of October 2022. The Kids Count report also found that 44 percent of households with children in Colorado reported difficulty paying for usual household expenses, such as food and medical expenses.
Feeding America shows that 10.6 percent of Chaffee County residents were food insecure and that Chaffee has a food insecure population of 2,080.
The Grainery Ministries relies on the generosity of the community for resources to serve friends, families and neighbors in need.
Questions about the Knock for Hunger food drive can be directed to Paula Bradfield at PaulaBradfield@gmail.com.
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