Information about
Weld Food Bank
MISSION STATEMENT:
The mission of Weld Food Bank is to lead and engage the community in the fight against hunger.
Brief history of organization:
In 1982, community leaders who identified the need for a centralized clearinghouse for donated food created Weld Food Bank. Such a clearinghouse more effectively provides food to low-income residents, while eliminating duplication of food collection efforts and providing significant savings for the community’s non-profit agencies. Weld Food Bank is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization and a member of Feeding America (formerly known as America’s Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Bank Network).
In fiscal year 2010-2011, we distributed 8 million pounds of food. This food went directly to an average of 10,000 low-income clients each month and to 106 partner agencies serving those at risk of hunger. Weld Food bank was able to save those agencies over $1.2 million on the cost of food for their programs in the last fiscal year, allowing said monies to further strengthen their given missions.
How many total clients are served annually:
In fiscal year 2009-2010, the food bank served 43,566 unduplicated persons. This does not include those who are served through partner agencies.
How are Empty Stocking funds expended to
benefit your clients:
Northern Colorado Empty Stocking Funds are critical to the food bank’s ability to assist clients. The food bank uses these funds to bring in critical loads of donated food from outside of Colorado to help provide needed sustenance to clients. The food bank also purchases food to supplement the other sources of food received. Last fiscal year, the food bank brought 4.8 million pounds of food into Colorado from other states. The food bank distributed 8 million pounds total, so this brought in food accounted for more than half of the food received by clients. Since 2007, the food bank has assisted more than 50,000 persons in Weld County, unduplicated, using (in part) dollars generated through the Empty Stocking Fund.
What is the true, lasting impact of the Empty
Stocking Fund on your organization/clients:
The Northern Colorado Empty Stocking Fund provides important dollars that are flexible. The food bank can use these funds to bring in a load of fresh apples from Washington, transport potatoes from Idaho, or purchase shelf-stable milk for use in the Backpack Program. Though the food bank appreciates designated gifts, these can be less useful when a specific critical need arises that is outside the allowable use of the funds. Flexible dollars from the NCESF help the food bank respond to needs as they arise to have maximum impact at the time. The specific need will change from month to month and year to year, so the food bank is especially grateful to the NCESF for allowing it the ability to respond as needed to the needs of the community. The NCESF campaign provides critical unrestricted dollars that can be used to meet the immediate cash needs of the organization. This is critical to the sustainability of the food bank on an ongoing basis.