DENVER -- To help combat the issue of hunger and food scarcity in Colorado, and in hopes of making a real and lasting difference in the lives of hundreds of families and individuals, Arc Thrift Stores has once again partnered with Denver7 and Volunteers of America to host Feed Colorado, the state’s largest food drive. Those who suffer from food insecurity will benefit from this campaign, with Meals on Wheels being one of the major beneficiaries.
The program kicks off April 1 and runs through the entire month.
Last year the program collected over 330,000 pounds of food and delivered over 290,000 meals to people in need. Over 58,000 households donated food to the 2016 campaign.
“Feed Colorado is the state’s largest food drive,” said Lloyd Lewis, president and CEO, Arc Thrift Stores. “All three of these organizations believe strongly in helping end hunger in Colorado, and across the U.S. Programs like this can quite literally make the difference between a child or a family or an individual going to bed hungry or not. We all need to contribute and support each other. Feed Colorado does just that.” This will be the 17th year that Arc Thrift Stores has spearheaded the program.
“Serving the people of Colorado is at the core of everything we do at Denver7. It starts with the basics – making sure no child, no Coloradan, no person goes hungry,” said Shannon Ogden, Denver7 news anchor.
“It’s the ‘Colorado way’ to help our neighbors when they are in need, and you always step up. On behalf of Denver7, thank you Colorado!” said Anne Trujillo, Denver7 news anchor.
One of the keys to the success of Feed Colorado is how easy it is to participate, with several drop-off and pick-up options available. There are three easy ways to donate:
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1-800-283-2721 to schedule a free pick-up.
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Convenient drop-off at more than 25 locations across the Front Range including Avocet Communications (425 Main Street, Longmont, CO) and the 24 Arc Thrift Stores across the Front Range. Visit feedcolorado.com for an entire list of drop-off locations.
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Schedule a pickup online at feedcolorado.com or arcthrift.net
- Drop off your donation at one of the 15 donation centers throughout Colorado.
Items needed include non-perishable food such as rice, beans, pasta, peanut butter, canned goods (vegetables and fruit), soup, cereal, and juice.
Sponsors this year include Arc Thrift Stores, Denver7, Avocet Communications, and Volunteers of America.
Food insecurity is a harsh reality for many Coloradans. Nearly one in seven Coloradans struggle with hunger; nearly one in eight live in poverty, including more than one in seven kids; nearly one in five Colorado kids may not always know when or where they will get their next meal; and, one in seven Colorado seniors have to choose between buying food and paying bills. *