Press Release: Gov. & Lt. Gov. Join Volunteers at Food Bank
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OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2009
CONTACTS:
Myung Oak Kim, 303.947.5708, myung.kim@state.co.us
Toya Nelson, 303.866.2524, toya.nelson@state.co.us
GOV. RITTER & LT. GOV. O'BRIEN JOIN VOLUNTEERS AT FOOD BANK, URGE COLORADANS TO TAKE PART IN 'UNITED WE SERVE'
Gov. Bill Ritter and Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien joined volunteers today at the Food Bank of the Rockies to pack food purchased by the Recovery Act and to invite Coloradans to volunteer at food banks and get involved in other United We Serve community service projects across the state.
The food that was boxed up and packaged today will be delivered to Twin Parish Church in Denver and Agape Life Church in Arvada.
Over the past year, Colorado food banks have experienced a 30 percent to 35 percent increase in demand as families continue to struggle through the economic downturn. The Recovery Act will provide $1.4 million for emergency food distribution in Colorado.
"The need for emergency food supplies is high, and many families seeking help have never done so before," Gov. Ritter said. "The Recovery Act is keeping food on the table for thousands of families while also extending food stamps, unemployment benefits, healthcare and other vital safety-net services to help people survive this crisis."
"We are encouraging Coloradans in every corner of the state to build on our strong spirit of community service and volunteer at food banks and to get involved in other United We Serve community service projects," Lt. Gov. O'Brien said. "This is the spirit of Colorado. This is the spirit of America. Let's all do our part to lead Colorado forward so we come out of this downturn stronger than ever."
The Colorado Department of Human Services recently distributed 96,000 cans of pork and 118,000 bags of whole chickens funded by the Recovery Act to the Food Bank of the Rockies in Denver, the Weld Food Bank in Greeley, and Care and Share Food Bank in Colorado Springs.
John Schnatter, founder and chairman of Papa John's pizza, donated pizzas to volunteers today and provided coupons for food packages at the Food Bank of the Rockies.
Volunteers are needed to help on an ongoing basis at the Food Bank of the Rockies, the Weld Food Bank and at Care and Share. All three sites distribute food to hundreds of local food pantries, churches and non-profits.
The Governor's Commission on Community Service is helping to spread the word about this and other volunteer initiatives, including United We Serve. United We Serve is a national campaign to make community service a way of life for all Americans. More information is available at www.colorado.gov/gccs and www.serve.gov.
To volunteer at the food bank distribution centers, contact:
- Food Bank of the Rockies, Olive Crawford, 303-371-9250 x 236, volunteers@foodbankrockies.org.
- Care and Share Food Bank, Wanda Stanley, Volunteer Coordinator, 719-434-4672.
- Weld Food Bank, Stephanie Gausch Volunteer Coordinator, 970-356-2199 x307.
Note to Media: Representatives from the Twin Parish Church in Denver and Agape Life Church in Arvada, which are receiving food packed by the Governor and Lt. Governor, can be interviewed about the need for food in their communities. Contact Myung Oak Kim at 303-947-5708 to set up an interview.
More information about the Recovery Act is available at www.colorado.gov/recovery.
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