Phil-and-Thropy visit Community Food Share to see how their year is shaping up and to hear about their hopes for Colorado Gives Day.
Phil-and-Thropy visited Community Food Share to see how their year is shaping up and to hear about their hopes for Colorado Gives Day. He had a great conversation with Susan Finesliver, Communications & Corporate Relations Manager. He also took a few candids and met some great folks on his tour! Read on to learn more about the critical work of Community Food Share.
Phil: What are your goals for Colorado Gives Day?
Susan: Our primary goal is to reach out to current donors and to bring in new donors, in support of our mission of ensuring that no one in Boulder and Broomfield Counties goes hungry.
Phil: How has 2013 been for you Community Food Share?
Susan: 2013 has been a great and challenging year. In addition to our normal operations, we were focused on planning for and remodeling our new Louisville facility. We moved into the new building on August 1. The September floods hit six weeks after we relocated, and for the next three weeks, emergency food assistance for flood victims dominated operations. Now, we have integrated flood relief activities into daily food procurement and distribution operations for the long-term recovery process. It has been a busy time. In addition, every Tuesday, from 1:00-3:00 p.m., we are distributing food and grocery gift cards (while supplies last) to anyone impacted by the floods. The distribution is at our warehouse.
Phil: Are you making your fundraising goals?
Susan: Yes, we are making our fundraising goals, thanks to a very generous community. We have many new donors who contributed to our flood relief efforts. This is important because, as mentioned, we have expanded our operations to include flood relief and ongoing operations for daily food procurement and distribution.
Phil: How much does it cost to supply a meal for one person/one family?
Susan: Community Food Share equates one pound of food to equal one meal (it is important to keep in mind that the food is diversified and not just one pound of potatoes). Last year, we distributed 7.5 million pounds of food, which equates to 7.5 million meals for people and families around the community. Also, we can distribute four meals for every dollar donated. So if someone gives us $100, it provides 400 meals! We distribute all food free of charge.
Phil: Are food donations good?
Susan: As Colorado Gives Day is an online giving initiative, we rely more on financial gifts during that day. However, with that being said, we of course want and appreciate food donations at anytime. No donation is ever too small or too large.
