With the holiday season quickly approaching and Thanksgiving around the corner, multiple organizations across Colorado Springs are working to ensure everyone in the community can enjoy a holiday meal, no matter their situation.
According to Amy Dunbar, the volunteer coordinator for Crossfire Ministries no-cost grocery bank, volunteer interest has been high for their annual Thanksgiving meal drive-through event – so high, she’s had to turn many of those interested away.
“I have a waitlist for people who want to help on Thanksgiving. This community just really loves each other,” Dunbar said.
Crossfire’s annual Thanksgiving meal drive works to provide families with boxed meals for them to cook at home. In 2023, Dunbar said they served 2,000 families Thanksgiving meals. This year, they’re planning on their team of approximately 100 volunteers serving 2,500 families, and said they are seeing food scarcity in the Pikes Peak Region climbing at a remarkable” rate.
“We’ve noticed an uptick across the board, food insecurity in the region is remarkable,” Dunbar said.
She continued saying in the past three months, the no-cost grocery program has reached a milestone of serving 14,000 families in the region over the past three years. Thanks to their robust volunteer team of thousands of individuals, Dunbar said they feel equipped and held by the community to carry on their mission.
“Our volunteers are amazing. They consistently show our families love and kindness across the board,” Dunbar said.
I have a waitlist for people who want to help on Thanksgiving. This community just really loves each other. – Crossfire Ministries Volunteer Coordinator Amy Dunbar
Care and Share Food Bank, which serves multiple counties throughout southern Colorado, makes significant strides each year to help everyone in the community celebrate Thanksgiving through its Take a Turkey to Work Day frozen turkey food drive.
With Take a Turkey to Work Day, Care and Share collects donated frozen turkeys in several ways. From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22, the Care and Share team and volunteers will collect frozen turkeys at participating King Soopers grocery stores throughout El Paso, Pueblo, and Alamosa counties. They will also be collecting turkeys from participating businesses and organizations – sign up at CareAndShare.org/events/turkey where individuals and groups may also donate online.
“[Take a Turkey to Work Day] is one of the campaigns that Care and Share is really built on,” said organization spokesperson Adam Uhernik.
During their 2023 frozen turkey drive, Care and Share facilitated approximately 3,500 turkey donations.
According to Uhernik, Care and Share supplies food to 289 partner agencies throughout southern Colorado, including churches and other food security organizations.
“We believe food is the foundation for creating memories around the table with loved ones, experiencing joy, and building hope,” the food bank said of its annual drive.
For information on how to access food through Care and Share, go to CareAndShare.org/findfood or call 719-528-1247.
Westside CARES sees more young people in need
Westside CARES, one of Care and Share’s partner agencies, is a quintessential food access point for its western Colorado Springs service area.
Annually, the organization distributes more than 30,000 four-day food bags to families in need via its six local pantries. While much of its food supplies are received from Care and Share, a “considerable amount” comes from grassroots food drives run by the community.
According to Westside CARES CEO Kristy Milligan, local food access is more important than ever.
“We have seen a definite increase in need this year, and approximately one third of the people who receive food from our pantries are under 18,” Milligan said.
Milligan said the local nonprofit has seen an increase in people needing food services due to the impact of inflation plus several local food pantries scaling back operations or closing altogether. In the past year alone, Mercy’s Gate and Calvary Worship Center in Colorado Springs have ceased their food operation services.
“We have seen several pantries in the community scale operations back, or close altogether this year, and it is essential that we continue to support the pantries that are providing food to our neighbors.”
To learn more about donation opportunities, go to WestsideCares.org/donate.
For a list of Westside CARES pantry locations and hours of operation, go to WestsideCares.org/get-help/food or call 719-389-0759.
Manitou Springs Community Food Pantry hosts Nov. 24 fundraiser
The Manitou Springs Community Food Pantry is hosting a Holiday Fundraiser on Nov. 24 at Kinfolks (950 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs) from 3 to 8 p.m.
We have seen a definite increase in need this year, and approximately one third of the people who receive food from our pantries are under 18. – Westside CARES CEO Kristy Milligan
“It will be a musical extravaganza, filled with fun and fellowship, with intent to fill up our pantry with non-perishable food items,” organizer Michelle Tomasik said.
The pantry is seeking donations of raffle prizes, gift baskets and certificates for services to be raffled off during the fundraiser. Organizers may be reached at 719-685-9259.
Hosted by St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, the pantry reports it serves upwards of 80 families per week. It is open to the public every Wednesday from 1 to 2 p.m. at the St. Andrew’s Parish Hall driveway (110 Canon Ave., Manitou Springs).
