Julia Ziobro, Gilpin County. With casinos partly shut down again and the Covid-19 risk level “Orange” keeping many of us closer to home, it can be hard to get enough food for your family. Did you know that there are THREE food banks in Gilpin County? These food banks are run by volunteers who probably live right next door, and they are here for everyone! They often hear, “other families need it more than ours,” or, “they don’t have anything my kids will eat.” It turns out the food boxes are really good and they go well beyond rice, dried beans, and canned goods, often including milk, eggs, cheese, bread, and other pantry staples like macaroni and cheese, produce including potatoes, apples, oranges, and grapes and sometimes treats like cupcakes and cookies!

Most importantly, each food bank will always accept donations, and there is enough to go around. Between these three Food Banks, nobody in our community should go hungry this holiday season. Each of these food banks also has volunteers that can deliver food to you if you are unable to leave your home. All you need to do is to drive up to the distribution location at the specified times, provide very basic information, and show your driver’s license, and volunteers will load food into your car, following Covid-19 safety protocols. The information gathered helps the non-profits involved and the government programs that supply some of the food know how many people, including children and seniors, are being served, which helps them bring enough food to each distribution day. Your information is never shared with other agencies.

Gilpin County Dept of Human Services Food Pantry: every Thursday from 1:30 - 4 p.m., drive through at the Gilpin County Justice Center, 2960 Dory Hill Rd., Black Hawk. Open to all Gilpin County residents who need it. Offers staple foods, frozen meat and fresh dairy products and produce, holiday meal boxes, pet food, and holiday gifts for children. Contact Jennifer Josselyn, 303-582-5444 ext. 1100. Through the end of 2020: December 3, December 8, December 10, December 17, Christmas box pick up December 21 ((please sign up by December 18), and December 31.

Food Bank of the Rockies: every third Tuesday from 11 a.m. until noon. Drive through at the southern parking lot of Gold Mountain Village Apartments, 440 Powder Run Dr, Central City. The regular food pantry offerings are available to all families below 200% of the federal poverty level, unemployed, or on any public assistance program. We usually have frozen meat, cheese, milk, and dry goods, and fresh produce and fruit. Special senior boxes available to residents over age 60 at or below 130% of the federal poverty level who fill in one simple form, which qualifies participants for three years. Contact Julia Ziobro 303-260-9351. Food bank distributions December 15 and January 19, 2021.

Holistic Homestead Market: free food table during all opening hours (Wednesdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. seniors only, Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) and anyone may come and receive a free food box Sundays from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. The market accepts EBT/SNAP benefits and is located at 972 Golden Gate Canyon Rd. in the Professional Building, Black Hawk. The Holistic Homestead is a 501c3 dedicated to serving the community through education, outreach, and advocacy. Contact Arwen Ek, 303-582-3001. Food bank distribution December 6, December 13, December 20, December 27, and January 3, 2021.

There are additional food bank resources in Idaho Springs and Nederland. Contact Jennifer Josselyn for information about those programs.

(Originally published in the November 26, 2020, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)