Partnering with Food Bank of the Rockies – Jeffco Eats

Jeffco Eats is an approved agency express member and provider with Food Bank of Rockies. We are also in the Totes for Hope Program and PUSH produce program. We get 90 percent of our foods from Food Bank Rockies.

BBB ACCREDITED CHARITY bbb.org A Member of CHARITY NAVIGATOR What does Food Bank of the Rockies do? Food Bank of the Rockies (FBR) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We feed the hungry through our programs and partner agencies in Northern Colorado, including Metro Denver and the entire state of Wyoming. How does Food Bank of the Rockies distribute its food? FBR distributes food directly through our Nutrition Network and Mobile Pantry programs and through our partner agencies. Any IRS-certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a hunger-relief program serving the ill, needy or children, may apply to become a partner agency. There is no membership fee. Shelters, food pantries, emergency assistance programs, child-welfare centers, senior nutrition programs, churches, synagogues, community centers, halfway houses and other similar organizations distribute FBR food. Who receives the food distributed by Food Bank of the Rockies’ agencies? Nearly half of those receiving food assistance are children under age 18. Seniors represent about 14% of our clients. We estimate only 10% of our recipients are homeless or living in temporary situations. 70% have incomes at or below the federal poverty level. More than 60% must make choices between buying food or paying for rent, medicine, transportation or utilities. Why do agencies use Food Bank of the Rockies to supply their hunger-relief programs? Collaboration with Food Bank of the Rockies is critical to the operations of many of our partner agencies. Food at our warehouse is handled safely, professionally and in accordance with all food industry, government agency, health and AIB sanitation standards. Our size and scope allow us to provide the most cost-effective way for agencies to access the greatest variety of food and necessities in volume.

Our team has national connections to secure the best product available, allowing partner agencies to stretch their funds and provide more food or additional services to their clients. Through FBR, not only do hunger-relief programs save significantly, they have access to a greater variety of high-quality items. In addition, we offer education, support and resources for our agencies, helping to enhance and expand their programs and funding. How much food does Food Bank distribute annually? In fiscal 2017 we distributed nearly 49 million meals (60.6 million pounds of food and non-food essentials) for hungry children, seniors and families. These numbers translate to more than 134,000 meals for struggling families every day. Where Does Food Bank of the Rockies Receive Financial Support? Contributions are raised through gifts and grants from associations, foundations and corporations, as well as gifts from individuals, bequests and proceeds from promotions and special events. Do agencies pay Food Bank of the Rockies for the food they receive? Agencies do not purchase donated products. To help cover our transportation and warehouse expenses, agencies do contribute a very small Agency Support Fee (ASF) for some items. The IRS permits this system if the fee is not based on the value of the product and food recipients are not charged. Last year, partner agencies contributed an average ASF of 2¢ per pound; according to Feeding America. To encourage consumption over spoilage, fresh produce, dairy and bread are distributed free. Last year, FBR gave away millions of pounds of food with no ASF. Products donated to FBR through food drives are always distributed without a fee. No fee is ever passed on to those receiving food assistance. Because we have no control over the type and quantity of products donated to us, and to provide consistency to our partner agencies, we also offer a Purchased Food Program. This program allows agencies to purchase staples such as peanut butter, pasta and sauce, rice, beans, canned meat, fruits and vegetables and kid-friendly items at our wholesale cost. Fresh produce is also purchased when additional funds are available and passed through to our partner agencies at no cost. Last year, we purchased almost 3 million pounds of fresh produce. (over ) F