Each Monday morning, our Leadership Team gets together for a quick meeting to update each other about things that happened during the previous week. Our Monday Minutes posts share updates from our Agency Relations, Operations, Development, and Programs departments. Today is an update from our Agency Relations team.

Last week, we had 264 active partner agencies. Our partner agencies (soup kitchens, emergency shelters, food pantries, etc.) are the largest distributor of our food and help us to reach our Southern Colorado neighbors in need. Last week alone, we distributed 315,253 pounds of food, the equivalent of 262,710 meals, to our partner agencies.

Here’s is an example of a partner agency:
Lynn Gardens Baptist Church has been a keystone organization within the south side of Pueblo’s community since 1959. When families were not able to find services in their neighborhoods, they went to Lynn Gardens seeking help. To meet the need, a food pantry was started within the church that initially served 2-3 families.

Realizing that they could do more, they began a partnership with Care and Share began in December 2009. Since the, Lynn Gardens has grown to meet the needs of their community.

Lynn Gardens food pantry is open on the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Thursday of each month, providing healthy, nutritious foods to an average of 180-217 families per week. In addition to the weekly schedule, a Mobile Food Pantry serves an average of 170-190 families every 3rd Wednesday of the month.

The food pantry is led by Pastor Lonnie and dedicated volunteers from the congregation, willing community members, and other local/partner church members.
Because of the partnership with Care and Share, Lynn Gardens has been able to offer several Share Our Strength Cooking Matters classes and children’s programs.
Lynn Gardens’ mailbox regularly fills up with notes of appreciation, such as “We couldn’t make it without you.” “Please accept this small gift to put towards food.” “Thank you for being in our community.”

Pastor Lonnie states the partnership with Care and Share enables them to meet the growing need for services. Thank you to Lynn Gardens Baptist Church for your presence in the Pueblo community. Together we can solve hunger!