Colorado鈥檚 unemployment rate ticked up in July to match the national average of 8.3 percent. It鈥檚 another sign the economy still isn鈥檛 bouncing back as fast as people are hoping.
For Colorado food banks it means demand for services is up, while donations are down. Bob O鈥機onnor, Executive Director of , says the economy and a busy wildfire season have impacted giving in northern Colorado.
鈥淓ven a year before it became official that we were in a recession, we saw it. We saw a number of people working one to two part-time jobs so they can keep their income alive,鈥� says O鈥機onnor. He says even those who are working find their monthly income doesn鈥檛 stretch far enough to cover bills and the cost of food 鈥� which is where food banks can help.
%22If%20you%20can%20come%20out%20to%20Tuna%20Fish%20%26amp%3B%20Peanut%20Butter%20and%20donate%20either%20cash%20or%20food%2C%20it%20will%20be%20put%20to%20great%20use%20--%20and%20you%27ll%20be%20helping%20your%20fellow%20neighbors%2C%20that%27s%20for%20sure.%22%20-Bob%20O%27Connor
Events over the summer, including the , and two of the most in Colorado history, have stretched charitable giving this year. O鈥機onnor says the Weld Food Bank is fortunate to have a stable base of supporters, so donations haven鈥檛 dropped much. But with the need so much higher this year, it鈥檚 not enough to sustain their operations.
And the and much of the southwest will have a big impact on what the food bank is able to provide this fall.
鈥淟ast year 31 percent of our distribution was fresh produce,鈥� O鈥機onnor says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 2.2 million pounds of fresh produce that went out to people who are struggling financially. We already know this year from speaking to our farmers that they have had to plant less.鈥�
O鈥機onnor says while food banks are grateful for donations of cash or food, cash gives them greater flexibility. With every donated dollar, Colorado food banks can provide six meals.
, now in its 26th year, has become a late-summer tradition for many who want to help. Food and monetary donations at the concert support the and the .
鈥� son of legendary blues musician Muddy Waters 鈥� headlines this year鈥檚 event, along with Colorado band . The concert is Sunday Aug. 26 from 2 鈥� 4 p.m. at the in Loveland.
