Roaring Fork churches unite for September food drive 

Churches across the Roaring Fork Valley are joining forces this month to help address food insecurity in the community. 

Twelve churches from Glenwood Springs to Aspen are working in conjunction with LIFT-UP, a regional nonprofit, to collect and distribute food to local families in need. The churches will be collecting throughout September. 

Last year, the food drive collected over 1,800 pounds of food. With twice as many churches participating in the drive this year, LIFT-UP hopes to surpass that number. 

“Last year showed us what we can accomplish when people across the valley work together,” said John Lund, a LIFT-UP board member and a leader of the food drive. “With twice as many churches participating this September, we have an opportunity to make an even greater impact and help ensure that families in our communities have food on their tables.”

Churches in the food drive have collection bins in their entryways to gather shelf-stable, standard household size foods. Those who wish to donate should contact the specific church for details on donation schedule and location. 

Samantha Freese, the executive director of LIFT-UP, stresses the importance of combatting food insecurity. 

“Food insecurity doesn’t always look the way people expect it to,” Freese said in a news release. “We are serving neighbors who are working, raising families and doing everything they can to make ends meet, but sometimes there simply isn’t enough left for groceries. Having churches and community members throughout the valley step up like this means our neighbors have somewhere to turn when they need a little extra help.”

Donated food will be collected from participating churches and taken to LIFT-UP’s warehouse in Glenwood Springs before being distributed to the organization’s pantries based on need. LIFT-UP has pantries in Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, New Castle, Rifle and Parachute. 

LIFT-UP was founded in Rifle in 1982 and is driven by the belief that “access to fresh, healthy, and sustainable food provides hope and empowerment, strengthening our community,” according to their website. 

The organization leverages fixed and mobile food pantries, community meals and emergency food assistance programs to make nutritious and culturally relevant food accessible to all in the community. 

72-hour emergency food supplies are also available through LIFT-UP for those needing expedited assistance. 

The participating churches are First Methodist in Glenwood Springs, St. Stephens in Glenwood Springs, The Orchard in Carbondale, Community United Methodist in Carbondale, Faith Lutheran in Carbondale, St. Mary of the Crown in Carbondale, St. Peter’s Episcopal in Basalt, Community United Methodist in Basalt, Grace Church in Basalt, St. Vincent in Basalt, Aspen Chapel in Aspen and St. Mary in Aspen.