Mar 18 update
The Board of Directors has made the decision to close the Food Bank Thursday and Friday (3/19-3/20) of this week, with the possibility of extending that further.
After serving nearly 200 households in the last two days, our supplies are greatly diminished. We need this time to replenish and prepare for the next rush of clients.
If you would like to help, Express Employment Professionals Durango in Bodo park (next to office depot) will be accepting food donations M-F from 8-5.
We are also working on setting up home deliveries to households in need, through a partnership with Southwest Rides. This would allow us to still provide food to households in need. The goal is to continue our mission, but limit unnecessary exposure.
This is a rapidly changing situation and will continue to require patience and flexibility. If you need food assistance, please call 970-375-2672 and leave a message providing your name and contact info. We will deliver food in the order of calls received.
The Durango Food Bank is committed to providing emergency food relief efforts to all residents struggling with food insecurity throughout La Plata County, especially the most vulnerable among us – children, seniors and families struggling to making ends meet.
Most of these households aren’t in the position to reserve food in the event of an emergency. In order to help these families prepare for the possibility of self-isolation, the Food Bank will be providing supplemental food bags in addition to regular food programs. In a measure to prolong our ability to assist the areas food insecure residents should the virus enter this area, we are also making plans to offer food programs through drive-up distributions.
Given the recent rush to supermarkets, food donations have come to a halt. Further, corporate contributions from food recovery programs have also been down. We are doing everything possible to provide a safety net for those in need now, even if it leaves us short of supplies down the road. The Food Bank needs help getting crucial items like high protein foods including canned meats, beans & peanut butter.
We understand that not all members of our community have adequate reserves and have made getting ahead of this situation now, before it hits our community, our primary goal. Additional sanitizing & disinfecting measures are also being taken in our facility to minimize the potential spread of the virus.
Follow us on our Facebook page to get the latest updates. For more information on how you can help or to make a donation, contact Sarah Smith, Executive Director of the Durango Food Bank at director.durangofoodbank@durango.net, or by phone at 970.375.2672.