AURORA, Colo. -- An Aurora nonprofit that helps feed people in need is trying to get the word out that it needs help to continue providing help.
Christina Stimson, executive director of Aurora Interfaith Community Services, says the nonprofit's food bank is running low on food, while demand has doubled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
"Thirty percent of our "in-kind" (food) donations come from churches, but churches are now closed," said Christina Stimson, the Aurora nonprofit's executive director.
"Monetary donations are also dwindling with the fear of the economy," she added. "Where are we going to be? I don't know."
That worries some of the nonprofit's clients.
"It's scary," said Tammi Wilson. "I feel like it's survival of the fittest and we've got to do what we've got to do to survive."
Wilson said she's very concerned about feeding her children during these uncertain times.
She said being able to access the Aurora Interfaith Community Services' food bank is a big stress relief.
"It's very important," she said, "because some of us barely had any food before this happened...we're just surviving."
Her friend, Jovette Rainge, agrees.
Rainge told Contact7 that survival is on her mind too.
"I'm trying to make the best of a situation. Places like this give us hope, because this helps with survival," she said.
Everything has changed
Stimson said before the coronavirus outbreak, clients would make an appointment, then walk into the pantry and do their own shopping.
Now, volunteers pick out the groceries, load them into bags or boxes and push the cart out the front door.
The clients then load the bags into their cars, and push the carts back to the front door, where volunteers wipe them down with disinfectant wipes.
Plea for Help
Stimson said food deliveries normally arrive at the "intake" room in back of the food bank.
"Today, the doorbell isn't ringing. There are no in kind donations," she said.
She asked Contact7 to help get the word out about the need for help.
Anyone wishing to make a donation, either food or monetary, can go to the Aurora Interfaith Community Services' website and click on the donation tab.
Stimson said she's grateful for all the help that churches, companies and individuals have provided in the past.
She's hoping there are a few others out there with big hearts.