A small idea started in the fall of 2020 to help serve families struggling at the height of the pandemic has blossomed into something that has impacted the lives of hundreds of families.

Earlier in October, the Cole Food Pantry was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Denver Emergency Food Relief Funds through the Denver’s Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE). The grant is expected to help students and staff continue to feed families in need.

What started off with only non-perishable food items has now turned into a service that offers produce, dairy and more. In fact, the pantry grew so much, the team was in need of a new refrigerator that could store the flood of donations.

“Cole is proud to partner with Food for Thought and Food Bank of the Rockies on our food pantry,” said Harold Sanchez, Cole’s Community Engagement Manager. “We have consistently offered food, diapers and hygiene products to our Cole community weekly.”

Each week, the food pantry distributes over 160 boxes of food to families in need.

“It is important to note that the Whittier and Cole neighborhoods are in a food desert,” Sanchez said. “We see the food pantry as a vital resource for our community that ensures families have food for the week.” 

With the new grant, the hope is to grow the number of families being helped in order to make a larger impact within the community.