Written by Steven Williams, Program Director

From February to April, Care and Share hosted three dynamic listening sessions across our service area. At the heart of these gatherings was a shared mission—to amplify the voices of our neighbors and glean invaluable insights into their experiences accessing our network. Thanks to the generous support of Feeding Colorado and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Medicaid Neighbor Engagement Grant, we were able to honor the time and expertise of our neighbors by compensating them for their invaluable contributions. This practice not only underscores our commitment to inclusivity but also serves as a testament to the profound impact of community collaboration.

Throughout these sessions, participants shared profound insights, illuminating the pathways toward a brighter, more equitable future. Neighbors voiced aspirations for improved communication, access to healthier food options, and the cultivation of more respectful interactions within our pantries. Moreover, they shed light on the broader systemic challenges—such as rising living costs and bureaucratic barriers—that perpetuate food insecurity. These discussions underscored the urgent need for collective action and advocacy to address these entrenched issues, paving the way for transformative change.

Building on these invaluable learnings, Care and Share is prepared to embark on a groundbreaking initiative—the development of the State of Access report. This comprehensive report will amplify the voices of our neighbors, spotlighting their experiences and offering actionable recommendations to enhance our services and effect meaningful change. We will advocate at both the state and federal levels to alleviate the challenges faced by our communities and reduce the distressful lines outside our food pantries, meal sites, schools, churches, and community centers.

If you share our vision for a more inclusive and equitable future and are interested in hosting a listening session in your community, we invite you to contact our Programs Director, Steven Williams, at stevenw@careandshare.org. Your partnership is not only welcomed but essential as we continue our collective journey toward a hunger-free Southern Colorado.

Written by Steven Williams, Program Director

In January 2024, Care and Share embraced the opportunity for growth and adaptation, aligning our operations and programming with the evolving needs of our community and the economy. Recognizing the shifting landscape, we made the strategic decision to prioritize shifting resources from our Mobile Market program, ensuring continued service to our expansive 29-county service area and agency network, while also supporting our main distribution centers. Though challenging, this shift has empowered us to envision and enhance the role of our Mobile Market in navigating this ‘new normal’.

The Mobile Market has become a dynamic tool within Care and Share’s mission, strategically working in underserved and under-resourced communities with precision and purpose. This focused approach allows us to significantly enhance food accessibility in areas such as Costilla County, Crestone, Del Norte, senior housing communities, and other regions facing limited access to essential resources. Ron Cook, Mobile Market Operator, emphasizes, “The Market’s ability to take services directly to the communities with limited access is the priority. This program is an excellent way of doing this.” He adds, “The sense of community surrounding the market wherever we go is palpable. Seeing neighbors get quality groceries at no cost combined with a sense of community that a drive-through experience just can’t bring makes this one of the most unique experiences in the country.”

Care and Share is dedicated to further leveraging the Mobile Market to strengthen areas within our service area where access to fresh, nutritious foods is limited or nonexistent—ensuring all Coloradans have the food they need to thrive. While our urban and well-resourced communities boast remarkable support systems, our commitment to collaborating with our agency network remains unwavering. We’re committed to leaving no Coloradan behind when it comes to access to nourishing food options and we cannot do it without us all working together!

Our team of drivers plays a critical role here at Care and Share. Not only do they pick up and deliver food for our neighbors in need, but they also maintain relationships with our partner agencies and retail partners like Walmart.

Nick Clipner, one of our route drivers in Colorado Springs, has been picking up food from Walmart stores for the past five years. We’re able to receive this retail food thanks to Nick and the relationships he’s fostered with the Walmart management team.

“When I started, I got maybe two boxes [of food],” Nick told us. “Over the years, as I’ve built relationships with department managers, we’ve been able to increase that amount a lot.”

Now, Nick often comes back with full pallets of food ranging from bread to produce to meat – all food that is invaluable to our partner agencies and neighbors.

“Our relationship is very positive — the department managers are always asking questions about what we can or can’t take,” said Nick.

Working with Walmart through our retail donation program and the Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign allows us to ensure households across our 29-county service area get the food they need to thrive.

And you can help! By donating at the register at Walmart and Sam’s Club stores or purchasing certain grocery items, you can help kids, adults, and seniors right here in Southern Colorado.

“At the end of the day, this is where we live,” Nick said. “We’re helping kids in our community.”

Written by Steven Williams, Program Director

Amidst the hustle and bustle of our daily efforts to support families in need across Colorado, a remarkable truth emerges – Coloradans are resilient, but they need our support now more than ever. The challenges they face, exacerbated by the relentless rise in the cost-of-living outpacing wages, are palpable. Yet, within these challenges lies an opportunity for us to band together and make a tangible difference in the lives of those who rely on us.

Recently, I had the privilege of representing Care and Share at an event in Washington, D.C. In early March, alongside a passionate coalition of food banks from across the nation, we advocated for the heart and soul of our work – the Farm Bill. This landmark legislation isn’t just about agriculture; it’s about ensuring that every Coloradan has access to the nourishment they need to thrive. At the forefront of our discussions were programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a lifeline for countless families in our state.

However, one program particularly close to our hearts is The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). Accounting for a significant portion of the food Care and Share distributes, TEFAP serves as a tool for rural communities across Southern Colorado. For many of our neighbors, TEFAP isn’t just about food; it’s about accessing fresh, nutritious foods that have become all too scarce in their daily lives.

Armed with our stories, our passion, and a united voice, we made our case to our delegation. We spoke of the families who rely on these vital programs, the incredible partner agencies that support our communities, and the difference they make in our collective struggle against hunger. And our voices were heard.

Just days after our discussions, the Agriculture Appropriations bill, which funds TEFAP, SNAP, and other crucial programs, passed into law. It was a win, a testament to the power of advocacy and collaboration. More than that, it was a victory for every Coloradan striving to build a brighter future for themselves and their families.

As I reflect on this journey, I’m reminded of the incredible impact we can have when we come together with a common purpose. Our work is far from over, but with each small victory, we inch closer to a future where hunger is but a distant memory, and every Coloradan can thrive.

March 19th is National Ag Day! At Care and Share, we are proud to work with farmers right here in Southern Colorado and across the United States.

One way we work with our local farmers is through the Local Food Purchasing Agreement (LFPA), a grant provided through the USDA and the State of Colorado. This grant allows us to purchase nutritious food from farmers and food producers in our service area and redistribute that food to rural, remote, and underserved communities. 

“The LFPA grant has had a big impact on our business,” said Matt Crogan of Poncha Creek Gardens, a small microgreen farm in Central Colorado. “By partnering with Care and Share Food Bank, we were able to increase our distribution areas by leaps and bounds. The additional sales from the LFPA grant doubled our sales and maximized our output for the summer and fall of 2023.”

“The support of Care and Share and the LFPA grant funding has allowed us to expand our freezer storage and allowed us to have a larger quantity of beef on hand,” said Lanea Donahoo of Podunk’s Ranch, a cattle farm in Southwestern Colorado. “We’ve also been able to cover our true transportation cost with a new to us truck and stock trailer.”

Produce and meat are two of our most highly requested items from our partner agencies. Working with farmers like Matt and Lanea has been crucial in fulfilling those requests. Our neighbors get to take home high quality, local products and our farm partners get to expand their businesses – and we all get to strengthen our local food system!

“In essence, the LFPA grant has been transformative, not just for Podunk’s Ranch but for me personally,” said Lanea. “This experience served as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of locally sourced products particularly for individuals facing hardships.”

Thank you to Matt, Lanea, and all of our farm partners for the important work you do every day to feed our neighbors and communities. We are incredibly grateful!

As a retired nurse, Tina has been giving back to her community for most of her life. Now, she can continue to give back as the coordinator for Capulin Food Pantry.

“I’ve always liked helping people,” she told us. “I still want to [in retirement].”

Capulin, a 134-person town located southwest of Alamosa, is in Conejos County, one of the most impoverished in Colorado. The closest grocery store is miles away, making it hard for residents to get the food they need. Having this pantry right in the town, Tina said, is vital.

But she doesn’t do it alone. Members of the community help her mow the grass in front of the pantry or help shovel snow in the winter.

“[Capulin] is close-knit. I help people, and they help me,” said Tina.

At Capulin Food Pantry, neighbors can visit and take home boxes of canned goods, bread products, and produce. Many neighbors walk to the pantry, so Tina always makes sure to have boxes and bags available for people to use. And if she has extra non-food items like hygiene products or clothes, she sets those out too.

“It’s a good way to help the community,” Tina said. “And they are so appreciative.”