Today,  people all over America and the world need help securing food to keep their families fed.  Hunger Awareness Month is about educating our communities that hunger exists throughout the year, not just during the holiday season.  Moreover, the agencies who are on the front lines of distributing either prepared food or bulk food continue to need your help.  The summer presents some special challenges for strapped families who depend of the free and reduced lunch programs at school to provide breakfast and lunch for their children during the school-year.  These programs are either not available during the summer months, or offered only at select school locations, making it difficult if not impossible for them to access.

Here is Colorado Springs, we are very fortunate to have many choices for those who need help securing food.  The Marian House Soup Kitchen, the largest provider of prepared hot, nutritious meals in the area, serves more than 600 meals most days, 365 days a year.  Additionally, food is provided to smaller food pantries and extended living hotels  in the area by Marian House Community Outreach Services to help them meet their food needs, and the needs in their neighborhoods.

Other local area agencies and organizations provide prepared  meals on a limited basis, in the evening  and/or on weekends, while Care and Share supplies numerous food pantries and other programs with bulk food.  With all of these choices, there is really no reason anyone in our community should not be able to secure food on a regular basis, however, transportation to these locations can be an obstacle.

Through the generous donations of individuals, families, businesses and organizations, our community has effectively taken on hunger in our community.  However, the need continues to grow and has grown significantly over the past several years during the tumultuous economic environment.  While food may be more readily available, other needs are growing as prices across the board continue to rise from the cost of a gallon of gas, to the price of retail goods.  Those living on the fringe continue to struggle. 

If you would like to help struggling families get through these difficult times, you have many options.  You can donate:

• money
• non perishable food
• fresh fruits & vegetables
• dairy products such as milk, yogart eggs, cheese
• meat
• gas cards
• usable clothing such as shirts, jeans, new socks and underwear, shoes, etc.
• diapers, formula and baby food

Thank you for your continued support.  You make it possible for us to serve those in need.