As we begin the season which reminds us to think of all we are thankful for, it is important to be conscious of the impact of hunger in Denver and the ways each of us can be a part of the solution. Tackling hunger is a critical first step to creating long-term success and a stronger community.
Unfortunately, the sad truth is that many hard-working Americans who have experienced loss of income have to choose between providing food for their families and paying for basic needs such as housing or medical care. In fact, nearly 14 percent of total households in Colorado face food insecurity, according to a USDA report from 2013, with Food Bank of the Rockies providing food for more than 411,000 people annually.
Although the economy is improving, it’s not happening for everyone. From 2009 to 2013, for example, there was a 50 percent increase in the number of households receiving nutrition assistance from the federal government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (the former food stamp program). Nationally, a shocking one in seven Americans—or 46.5 million people — still rely on food banks to get the nutrition they need to stay well-fed and healthy. That’s something that affects everyone in our community.
Delores and her family are grateful for the food assistance they receive. She suffers from a bone disease and her husband is going blind. Two of their three young children have serious medical conditions. They are unable to work and struggle to pay the bills. Food provided by Food Bank of the Rockies helps ease some of the burdens they face and provides their children with healthy food to grow and thrive.
There are a many ways we can help families like Delores’ get back on their feet. Consider participating in an upcoming volunteer event with Food Bank of the Rockies as an individual or arrange a group event, like the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Family Volunteer Night on Oct. 27.
If you can’t volunteer, monetary donations also make a real difference. One option is participating in the annual Give A Meal campaign, which extends the impact of individual donations. For every dollar donated to Feeding America during the campaign, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation will give an additional $2.
Donations can be earmarked for Food Bank of the Rockies and every dollar received becomes four meals for our neighbors in need. To donate to the Give A Meal campaign, visit . Even if you can’t donate, sharing this link via Twitter, Facebook or e-mail helps raise awareness about the very serious issue of hunger.
Using all of our connections, we can support efforts to help Denver grow and thrive by fighting hunger and putting our friends and neighbors on the path to long-term financial stability.
Kevin Seggelke is president and CEO of Food Bank of the Rockies and Jodi Rolland is Colorado state president for Bank of America.
