(El Paso County, Colorado) — Care and Share Food Bank is fighting hunger with a $1.5 million grant from El Paso County’s Temporary Assistance Program for Needy Families.
“It’s a tough time for people in El Paso County, our state. Right now, food prices are about 10 percent higher this month than they were a year ago,” said Nate Springer, CEO and president of Care and Share. said.
Despite the end of its pandemic-era Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (also known as SNAP benefits), Care and Share is still providing much-needed foods such as meat, eggs, margarine and cereals.
Declining funding and high food inflation are making it difficult for some in El Paso County to put food on the table. Care and Share’s partnership with food banks and food pantries has reportedly increased his need for food by 20%.
Of the 293 food bank partnerships across southern Colorado, one-third serve El Paso County, Springer said.
“Last year we served 203,000 people across southern Colorado. We expect to serve more people this year,” Springer said.
And families aren’t the only ones craving a warm, nutritious meal.
“We’re looking at young professionals, college graduates, full-time employees, teachers, nurses and active-duty military personnel,” Springer said. “I mean, people are really struggling there.”
According to Springer, Care and Share will distribute about 21 million pounds of food in 2023, equivalent to about 17.5 million meals.
“When people are in need, our community goes out of their way. This food will go a long way in helping people get through this difficult time in the coming months,” Springer said.