Food Bank of the Rockies provides food and necessities to people in need through signature programs and by teaming up with hundreds of hunger relief partners to serve communities across Colorado and Wyoming.

They maintain the largest food bank coverage area in the contiguous United States. They believe that in order for a community to thrive, every member must have access to the resources necessary to flourish, and strive to provide equitable access to proper nourishment for all.

Need is not always conveniently located, which is why Food Bank of the Rockies has deployed mobile food pantries, in the form of semi-trucks, usually operating outdoors and in a central location for residents.

Food Bank of the Rockies has 22 mobile food trucks and one of them comes to Central City to help the isolated mountain community gain access to food for those in need. Any real grocery store is at least 25 minutes away and the region is lacking in public transport. The area has been called a “food desert” by the local pantry drivers since access to nutritious, affordable food is limited.

Lisa Cordova organizes the event and manages the volunteers. Melissa Gesser has been volunteering with the mobile food bank for about three years. The Central City mobile food pantry conveniently sets up near her residence at the Gold Mountain Village Apartments.

A large semi-truck arrives at about 10 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, as volunteers eagerly wait to unload the month’s offerings. Typically, the pantry will be stocked with fresh vegetables and fruits, breads and grains, canned goods, snacks, and possibly beverages. One month there were cookies and muffins, good but nearing expiration.

Food distribution begins at 11 a.m. in the parking lot near the entrance of Gold Mountain Village Apartments located at 440 Powder Run Drive in Central City.

“We encourage people to bring their own bags if they can. The food distribution lasts for one hour but sometimes there are latecomers,” says Gesser. “But even if we’ve already put the pallets on the truck, we’ll put a box together really quick,” she said.

The mobile food pantry operates year-round, though it has had to reschedule a few times due to winter weather conditions. In that circumstance, local volunteers will post the relevant information for a rescheduled date on the Home Sweet Home Gilpin Facebook page found here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/438817279897017.

Gesser asks that you bring your Food Bank of the Rockies client card or number if you have one, but it is not entirely necessary. A card can be gained by answering some questions via the website or in-person at the pantry.

There are no income restrictions to receive a food bank card and the more people who sign up, the more food may be delivered. The client card is intended to expedite service by streamlining the information-gathering step.

In an effort to tackle the obstacle of transportation and/or scheduling for some, the Food Bank of the Rockies offers a proxy system that allows a client to pick up food on their neighbors’ behalf. There is a form online to be filled out by both parties at https:// www.foodbankrockies.org/wp-content/ uploads/2021/05/Proxy-Form-2021.pdf.

For seniors age 60 and up who need a little extra assistance, an additional food box is available by signing up at the front table.

If you wish to volunteer, you can reach out to Melissa Gesser at 727-510-6287. Volunteers must be at least 10 years old with an adult or 16 years old to volunteer on their own. Food Bank of the Rockies also offers group volunteering, to foster bonding and team building. More information on volunteering can be found at https://www.foodbankrockies.org/get-involved/volunteer/.

The next food pantry will be from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on September 19, 2023, and will be held in the parking lot of the Gold Mountain Village Apartments located at 440 Powder Run Drive, Central City, CO 80427.