Monica LaSalle, Nederland.   The scene was like an epic holiday movie, with people happily entering and exiting the Community Center, arms laden with boxes of food and bags of gifts, warm clothes and more. Within the party like atmosphere, pantry members and numerous volunteers intermingled with community members from all over the mountain region, laughing and talking and singing well known holiday songs with each other as they assisted with passing out donated items in stations like fruits and veggies, laundry and household soap, children’s toys and games, shoes, and even a nifty section where kids can go in and find a gift for mom or dad without them seeing it. It is truly a family affair, which is what the Food Pantry strives for with this annual event.

“We really want to make it a festive event so more people feel comfortable showing up,” says Executive Director Chris Current, as we discuss how many people they were able to reach this year. There was a total of 345 people from 136 households. Of those, 79 households were from Nederland, 31 from Rollinsville and Gilpin, 15 from the Sugarloaf/Coal Creek/Magnolia areas, and 7 from Ward. It is easy to see how vital the pantry is to the entire Peak to Peak region.

The Nederland Food Pantry started in 1986 with the intention of addressing the growing need being witnessed in the mountains. Their mission is, “to relieve hunger and provide basic needs support to the Peak to Peak Community in a respective and compassionate manner.” Located in the Nederland Community Center West Wing in Room 106, they offer distribution from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, and the first and last Thursday of each month. Donations can be made during those hours of operation. If you are donating food, please remember to check the expiration dates, as they do not accept expired food.

(Originally published in the December 13, 2018, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)