Community Table Food Bank Launches 25×25 Drive to Collect 25,000 Pounds of Food by Christmas
ARVADA, Colo. — To combat increasing food insecurity in the north metro area, the Community Table food bank has launched the 25×25 Community Food Drive, aiming to collect 25,000 pounds of non-perishable food donations by December 25. The initiative is crucial as local food banks, including Community Table, face record demand and dwindling donations since the pandemic.
Rocky Baldassare, chief operating officer of Community Table, noted the challenge of meeting community needs as previous food drives fell short. “We don’t have enough food on the shelves for our clients,” Baldassare remarked, emphasizing the food bank’s reliance on public donations for over 40 years. Adjustments made since 2021 have led the organization to host its own drives to keep up with the growing need.
Last year, volunteers at Community Table distributed nearly 1.5 million pounds of food. The current 25×25 drive reflects a significant goal, which Baldassare says has evolved annually to match the needs of the community. “We want to ensure that all families know they will have a meal on the table,” he explained.
Donation sites are available across Arvada, Wheat Ridge, and Westminster, including locations such as the Apex Center and local King Soopers. Baldassare encourages community members to donate by checking their pantries for items they may not use, suggesting that variety in donations can help serve diverse client preferences.
To contribute to the 25×25 drive, residents can drop off food at various local sites or make monetary donations via the Community Table website at CoTable.org. Every contribution plays a vital role in supporting those in need and ensuring that families can celebrate the holiday season with food security.
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