Feed Those in Need: How To Help Relieve Food Insecurity

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feeding food insecure‘Tis the season to deck the halls, and fa-la-la and all that goes with it. And in this season of abundance, it is also a great time to think of those who need a little extra help—especially with food.

The Statistics

Food insecurity is a reality for over 40 million Americans, none of whom have enough to consistently cover their most basic needs

The USDA Economic Research website reports that in our country, households with children are affected most of all. Almost one third of households headed by a single mother report that they struggle to provide enough food for their children on a daily basis.

What Can I Do? 

With that in mind, Colorado Springs Moms Blog would like to highlight a few wonderful organizations in our area that need your help to serve those who would go hungry without their assistance.

There are opportunities to help feed old and young alike, and these organizations need donations as well as volunteers to help with the logistics of serving their clients. A general description of each organization is listed below, and you can find out the details of when, where and how to help by consulting their website.

Whether you pick up a few extra cans at the grocery store, hold a food drive in your community, or go lend a hand to any of these nonprofit organizations, remember that the need for help and donated items lasts long past the holiday season, so consider lending a hand or donating year ‘round.

All of these organizations also accept cash donations, which help in meeting the needs of their clients.

A Brief List of Possibilities

  • Care and Share Food Bank of Southern Colorado https://careandshare.org/. Care and Share serves Southern Colorado, and accepts food donations at two locations, one in Colorado Springs and one in Pueblo. In addition, you can also check their website about how to volunteer. They have jobs for all ages, which makes it a great opportunity to volunteer as a family. You can volunteer just for an afternoon or more regularly.
  • Colorado Springs Food Rescue http://www.coloradospringsfoodrescue.org/. This is a unique organization that evaluates our local food system, and identifies from where they can “rescue” leftover food. Then, they make it available to those in our community who need it. In the summer, they accept donations of locally grown fresh produce. There are a variety of volunteer opportunities.
  • The following are faith based ministries, which provide social services support in specific neighborhoods around Colorado Springs. They all accept donations of food, as well as clothing and personal hygiene items.
  • Ronald McDonald House http://rmhcsoutherncolorado.org/get-involved/meals-that-mend/ Families that stay at the RMH already have a lot on their plates, so our community pitches in to cook and serve meals to them year round. You can help out just once or on a regular basis.
  • Silver Key https://www.silverkey.org/support/host-a-food-drive/ This organization helps to reduce hunger in the homes of our elderly neighbors. They accept food donations as well as needing help with their food pantry. They provide hot meals at various locations in our community and deliver meals to the homebound.
  • Springs Rescue Mission https://www.springsrescuemission.org/donate-goods/ SRM provides food and meals to homeless families and individuals. They have a list of needed items and volunteer opportunities on their website.

Happy Holidays!

These are just a few suggestions. We know there are many, many more organizations in our community that work hard to feed the hungry. Whether you give to these organizations or any others, you are giving to someone who needs your help. And we think that is one of the best ways to say Happy Holidays!