In Gratitude
The Grand Valley Peace & Justice food pantry is designed to serve those who carry their ‘home’ on their backs or who make their vehicle ‘home’.
When we were faced with the reality of social distancing early this year, we had to change how we operate if we were going to successfully still serve people in need. We realized that hunger does not follow business hours….instead we devised a system of crates that we could cover safely and fill with food, drinks, toiletries, dog and cat food and some clothing throughout the day. We refilled our crates 8 times a day and they were available to those in need 24 hours a day.
Thanks to the #GJStrong fund through the Western Colorado Community Foundation, we were able to obtain funding to operate under these new circumstances and have received many additional donations of food and money from individuals and families to keep a supply of easy to carry, pre-packaged foods on hand. The Center For Independence where we office allowed us to temporarily store and distribute foods from their commercial teaching kitchen during that time. With donations and support from the Roice-Hurst Humane Society, Grand Junction Mutual Aid, Solidarity Not Charity, The Joseph Center and the Community Food Bank, we were able to serve both humans and companion animals. Above all else, we know that the kindness of those living in our neighborhood, our neighbors, made this possible, as well.
Our crates were a source of relief for those living in our neighborhood who had lost jobs or been laid off. Parents needing a snack for their children as well as our houseless neighbors were able to receive help without judgment and with understanding. We say thank you to all who showed their caring and compassion for others and know this kindness spreads throughout our neighborhood and beyond!
It is now December 2020 and we still find ourselves navigating tenuous circumstances with our neighbors whether they have walls around them or not. As the COVID-19 cases continue to rise, we now drop off pre-made food bags to people on the streets or others who request them, help fill the Blessing Box at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 5th & Ouray on days we are closed, and give out bags from our front door at the Office Suites Entrance at 740 Gunnison Avenue. If you are a person who would like to carry a pre-made food bag in your car to hand to a person on the street through your window, please contact us at 970.985.4253 or programcoordinator@gvpeacejustice.org
We have been blessed with grants from the Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger and The Diocese of Pueblo/Operation Rice Bowl Projects so that we can keep feeding vulnerable persons in our community. To them we say A BIG THANK YOU! And, to you, we say, thank you for making a donation or handing a hungry person a pre-made food bag! What you do matters as well as the love with which you do it. Stay safe, be well and love much.