Local food banks say they are straining already depleted resources to meet big increases in need from low-income families in 2007.
Food Bank of the Rockies saw a 20 percent jump in demand from the more than 700 agencies it serves in Wyoming and Colorado, its largest-ever increase.
The Jeffco Action Center collected just half of the food in November and December as was donated in those months in 2006 and has seen a 10 percent increase in need, said director of development Joe Haines.
“These typically aren’t homeless people,” food-bank spokeswoman Janie Gianotsos said. “More than half the people who get our food have at least one working family member in the home.”
But an increase in foreclosures in 2007 in Colorado is forcing families who could normally support themselves to seek help, Haines said.
“The same families that were donating last year (2006) are now needing our services this year (2007),” he said. “We’re going to have to make some tough choices regarding funding to some of our advanced programs so we can buy food, because one thing we won’t do is turn anyone away.”
Foreclosures up 27%
Colorado experienced a 27 percent increase in the number of foreclosures in November from a year ago and ranks fourth in the country for foreclosure rates, according to the latest RealtyTrac U.S. Foreclosure Market Report.
In 2006, Haines heard one or two “foreclosure stories” a month from families seeking assistance; now he hears about five a day.
“We had just started to see an impact of foreclosures just this last year (2007),” said Greta Walker, with the Denver Rescue Mission. “It’s something we plan to monitor next year (2008).”
About 10 percent of the families who entered the mission’s program that assists low-income families in securing affordable, long-term housing had foreclosures, Walker said. There were no families in those circumstances in 2006.
The increased need has meant the Jeffco Action Center can’t stockpile food for February and March — the slowest donation months — and so faces a food shortage, Haines said.
Center had to buy food
The agency collected 90 tons of food during November and December, compared with the 180 tons collected in 2006, Haines said.
The action center had to purchase food for the first time in its 39-year history and may need to cut funding to its rental-assistance program.
“You know, the need is still there even though the donations aren’t,” he said. “These families are one medical emergency or car repair away from going over the edge.”
Susette Frausto is doing her part. The Elizabeth town trustee gathers donations every year so she can provide lunches to homeless people in Denver.
“The first year we did it, my husband and I bought enough food and warm clothes for 50 people to hand out in Civic Center park on Christmas Eve,” Frausto said.
Last year, Frausto partnered with the St. Francis Center and was able to feed 300 homeless men, women and children on New Year’s Eve.
“That’s my little sister,” said Teddy Vigil, who says he has been homeless in Denver since 1963. “She’s an angel. A beautiful lady.”
Cassie Hewlings: 303-954-1638 or chewlings@denverpost.com
