About 3,600 boxes filled with fresh produce, meat, pantry essentials and cooking necessities will be available for free to those in need at the National Western Complex in Elyria-Swansea.
From 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, Food Bank of the Rockies and the Denver Agency for Human Rights and Community Partnerships will host the giveaway at 4655 Humboldt Street.
It's part of the city's Emergency Inflation Relief Program, an initiative started last month in response to the rising cost of groceries. Last month, the city approved a financial assistance program for families struggling with food insecurities, KUSA-TV reported. About $1 million from the American Rescue Plan Act was used to provide gift cards and multiple food box distributions. The gift cards are no longer available.
The first distribution event was held at the Lalo Delgado Campus Oct. 15th and the second was held at the Ascension Catholic Parish Oct. 22. Between the two events, about 4,500 boxes were given out, filled with chicken, eggs, rice, pasta, vegetables, potatoes, all-purpose flour, cooking oil, and more.
The events also provided participants with additional resource information.
Saturday will be the final distribution event.
"Food Bank of the Rockies is honored to partner with the City of Denver and the Mayor's Office to distribute food during a time when inflation is at a 40-year high. We know families are making difficult choices," Aditi Desai, Food Bank Vice President of Marketing & Communications, said in a press release. "Can I afford to buy nutritious food and pay my utilities? Will I have enough left for rent if I eat today? Nobody should have to make such challenging decisions. We are excited to distribute more food in Denver this month to help communities thrive."
