Hunger in the Valley

This week I did a series on hunger issues in the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond, to the Western Slope. Social Service workers say people in our area have been living on the edge for awhile but the recession pushed some of them over. Numbers at food pantries have shot up to record numbers. Lift Up reports the New Castle food bank served 159 people last month. A total of 76 people were fed in January of 2009.

In Pitkin County, the number of people applying for the Federal Food Assistance Program is rising. The Program, which used to be called Food Stamps, issues a sort-of debit card to people living under the poverty line to use at grocery stores. From 2008 to 2009, Pitkin County saw the largest jump statewide in the amount it issued in Food Assistance. In 2008, the County administered about $8000 and in 2009, that number rose to $20,000.

On the Western Slope overall, more and more people are depending on the Food Bank of the Rockies for their meals. Before the recession about 40,000 people used the Food Bank's services. Now, more than 50,000 people are taking advantage of subsidized food at food banks across 13 counties.

The situation seems dire but Executive Director of Lift Up Mike Powell says residents of the Roaring Fork Valley have shown incredible generousity. Large numbers of people came forward last year to volunteer their time and resources. But, Powell and others believe the problem of people needing food will persist in 2010.