Great progress has been made on the new distribution center in Aurora (CO) as excitement builds for the positive impacts the facility will have for the entire state of Wyoming and northern region of Colorado. Food Bank of the Rockies has grown to become the largest hunger relief organization in the Rocky Mountain region as they serve more than 800 partner organizations in 55 counties (42 rural). RDP allocation of $15 million combined with a larger NMTC package serves as a key funding source, making the dream of a new larger distribution center a reality. The larger facility will increase capacity of food storage and production, accommodate a large commercial kitchen, provide capacity for frozen meals to rural areas, enable workforce development opportunities, and substantially increase accommodations for volunteers critical to the mission.
A Future Full of Opportunities
Jared Ross, Food Bank of the Rockies Capital Campaign Manager shares…
April is volunteer appreciation month, and at Food Bank of the Rockies we’re excited to celebrate all the incredible people who donate their time and energy to helping nourish their neighbors. The new building will have the capacity to welcome three-times as many volunteers, and allow the Food Bank to introduce brand-new programs and volunteer opportunities. Right now, the time volunteers dedicate to their mission equates to the work of 72 full-time employees. That’s already amazing, and in our new building, it will be even more so because triple the volunteers means triple the impact, or the equivalent of 216 full-time employees. Some of the new opportunities we’ll be able to offer to volunteers include a space specifically dedicated to repackaging dried goods and helping fulfill Hunger Relief Partners’ requests through the new Order Ahead Program, which allows partners to procure specific items in smaller amounts for the neighbors they support.
“The best part of my day is working with volunteers. I appreciate every single hug, smile, and all the love we receive from them,” shared Adilene Chaparro, Volunteer Operations Supervisor. “They remind me that there is good in this world, and I’m excited by all of the additional opportunities the new building will provide. We are so grateful for their commitment, passion, and support. We could not do this work without them.”
Food Bank Volunteers Donate More than Time to Make the New Distribution Center a Reality
Mike Kenyon (pictured) remembers what it was like to be hungry as a child growing up in Detroit. He recalls how he and the other neighborhood kids would walk to a government center to collect canned goods, powdered milk, and cheese. Eight years ago, Mike began volunteering with Food Bank of the Rockies as a way to give back. “I see families suffering today like we did in the 1950s,” he shared. “Some donate [to the Food Bank] because they suffered from food insecurity when they were younger — that’s my own story. Volunteering is critical for me. Now, I can make people’s lives better.”
Martha King (pictured) began volunteering with Food Bank of the Rockies five years ago during the height of the pandemic, helping process the extra food that was coming in from restaurants and food suppliers due to the public health emergency shutdown. “There were so many people that were out of work; the demand sky-rocketed,” she said. Martha currently volunteers at the Denver Distribution Center five days a week, and she also lends a hand in the kitchen where she helps prepare meals for kids enrolled in after-school programs. “It does get crowded in the kitchen,” Martha said. “We’re crammed into this room elbow-to-elbow.” In addition to volunteering her time, Martha has contributed financially to the Food Bank for nearly 20 years, and invested in the new Denver Distribution Center through the Fulfilled Capital Campaign.
Alan Dickman (pictured with box) is another longtime volunteer and monthly donor. In 2024, like Martha, he made an extra financial contribution toward the construction of the new Food Bank facility. Alan said he was pleasantly surprised when he learned his donation to the Fulfilled Campaign earned him a special tax deduction from Colorado. He said he plans to make the extra contribution again this year. The more he volunteers, the more Alan witnesses how worthwhile the Food Bank’s work is. “There’s a lot of food insecurity in Colorado,” he shared. “I have a desire to give back, because I’ve been lucky in my life. Donating and volunteering is good for you, and good for the community.”
Mike, Martha, and Alan have all been honored over the years with volunteer appreciation awards for their deep commitment to hunger relief. We’re thankful for their support and the support of all our wonderful volunteers. Check out this video featuring Martha, our 2025 Betty Van Hook Volunteer Award winner, to learn more about why she is passionate about our mission.
