December 2025 Partner Newsletter

As organizations and leaders committed to nourishing people experiencing hunger, we connect directly with neighbors from whom we learn about food access barriers due to various circumstances. We also have experienced the highs and lows of need within communities. In the months preceding November, as we saw increases in hunger rates, and throughout the month of November during the government shutdown and SNAP disruptions, two things were emphasized: 1) we need to continually work together to meet neighbors’ needs, and 2) we need to be ready for unexpected need.

While the government shutdown has ended and SNAP is operational, our teams heard how you faced significant pressure during the shutdown as you were responding immediately without time to plan. We also recognize that you face continued challenges to nourish neighbors experiencing food insecurity due to changes to SNAP eligibility and rising costs of living. Food Bank of the Rockies is here to support you, and we will continue to leverage the outpouring of community support to continue to support you in response to what we are hearing from each of you regarding your needs to nourish neighbors with respect and dignity.

With respect to changing resources and needs in communities, Food Bank of the Rockies is moving into a new building to ensure we can respond accordingly. The new building will create efficiencies to enable us to put more resources toward comfortable, familiar, and nourishing food for neighbors and support our hunger relief network of partners. The building also expands the amount of food we can store in times of critical need, allowing us to best serve you and neighbors despite a changing environment. This newsletter has key information to help each of you navigate the new facility. Please review the resources our team has compiled to help you navigate the new location.

With respect and gratitude,

Monica Buhlig
Chief Impact Officer

Important Dates

Please refer to the to view important dates related to the move to the new facility.

• Thursday, December 25-Friday, December 26: Food Bank of the Rockies is closed for winter holidays
• Wednesday, December 31: Food Bank of the Rockies is open until 11:00 a.m. for order pick-ups and Fresh Food Center for the month-end closure
• Thursday, January 1-Friday, January 2: Food Bank of the Rockies is closed for the New Year
• Friday, January 30: Food Bank of the Rockies is closed for our Quarterly All-Staff Meeting

• Tuesday, January 6, 10:00 a.m. – Hunger Relief Partner Orientation (virtual)
• Thursday, January 22, 1:00 p.m. – Hunger Relief Partner Orientation (virtual)

To sign up for orientation or for questions about any of the dates above, contact partnersolutions@foodbankrockies.org. For our full, detailed calendars on our Partner Portal, please click here.

New Distribution Center

We’re so excited to have officially moved into our new facility, located at 20600 E. 38th Ave., Aurora, CO 80019. This facility represents a major step forward in our shared work to nourish communities across Colorado and Wyoming. With expanded capacity, improved efficiency, and new opportunities for smoother ordering and pick-ups, we’re ready to create an even stronger and more reliable experience for you and the neighbors you serve.

Please take a look at our Hunger Relief Partner Facility Guide, which outlines everything you need to know about the move, including changes to ordering and more.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our Partner Solutions team at partnersolutions@foodbankrockies.org.

Google Search Results

You may notice a note on Google Maps that says “No onsite food pick-up” when searching for Food Bank of the Rockies. This message is not directed at Hunger Relief Partners. It is intended to help neighbors experiencing food insecurity connect with the nearest Hunger Relief Partner in our network. All Hunger Relief Partner pick-ups at our facility continue as scheduled.

Our new facility will include a small pantry opening in the spring. Until then, our Google listing will continue to display this note for neighbors seeking food assistance.

Grant Opportunities

The seventh Healthy Food for Denver’s Kids funding opportunity is now open!

The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) has announced the seventh round of funding for the Healthy Food for Denver’s Kids (HFDK) program to support nutritious food and food-based education in Denver.

• Apply by: January 5, 2026
• Learn more: https://bit.ly/48wiEZI

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) in the Denver metro area is seeking applications from organizations and government agencies that serve clients with immediate transit needs for a Transit Assistance Grant (TAG) in 2026. Eligible organizations can submit applications until January 5, 2026. The program will assist qualified organizations that serve clients with immediate needs by providing grants in the form of RTD fares. RTD has set aside $1 million for the TAG program to offer RTD fares at no cost to grant recipients who must distribute fare payment media at no cost to their clients or constituents.

Program Updates

Government Programs

Please be on the lookout for communication from your designated Community Connector to schedule a Partner Review. The team is looking forward to connecting in person to learn more about your programs and check in about food safety compliance!

Food for Kids Update

As a reminder, here are the upcoming December kitchen closures and the scheduled move to our new building. For all Totes of Hope® partners, you should have been contacted about rescheduling any orders that will be impacted. Please email partnersolutions@foodbankrockies.org if you did not receive communication about this.

December 22, 2025-January 2, 2026: Closed for the holiday break
During this closure period, no meals will be prepared or distributed.

The last day to pick up shelf-stable meals from our 45th Avenue location was December 9, 2025.

Food Bank of the Rockies
20600 E. 38th Ave.
Aurora, CO 80011

Shelf-stable meal pick-up will be available at our new location beginning December 16, 2025.

Normal kitchen production and distribution will resume on January 5, 2026.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we transition to our new facility and observe the holiday break. Please email FFK@foodbankrockies.org for any questions or concerns!

Culturally Responsive Food Initiative Update

As we continue to stand alongside our partners and neighbors affected by recent ICE activity in local communities, Food Bank of the Rockies wants to ensure every person feels safe and welcome when accessing food and resources.

We encourage Hunger Relief Partners to be aware of the rights of neighbors experiencing food insecurity, volunteering and/or working in your organization to ensure you are supporting their basic rights.

To help your team and community stay informed, we invite you to review This resource outlines key protections and best practices to help ensure the safety and dignity of our clients.

Every neighbor deserves to feel secure when accessing food. Together, we can help create welcoming spaces rooted in trust, compassion, and belonging.

Food Sourcing Update

SNAP Response

In response to the elevated need due to the SNAP benefit disruption, our Sourcing Team began bringing in incremental loads of food starting at the end of October. Between the end of October and mid-December, we brought in 129 full truckloads of dry, refrigerated, and frozen product, plus an additional 21 truckloads of produce. All items are available on Agency Express. Decisions of what items to bring in were based on partner feedback that our programs and sourcing teams have heard over the last year, focusing on frozen protein, fresh produce, and shelf-stable meal staples. We expect these incremental loads to continue through the end of January.

Holidays

The winter holiday season is upon us! After a successful Thanksgiving, we look forward to the end-of-year celebrations. For Christmas (12/25), we brought in smoked frozen hams. For Hanukkah (12/14-22), we have stocked yeast, olive oil, and frozen matzo meal. For Navidad (12/12-1/6), we have corn husks, masa, tortillas, dried ancho and arbol chiles, and dry beans. And, of course, we will also have fresh produce to complete neighbors’ holiday tables! For details on any of these holiday items, reach out to Partner Solutions at partnersolutions@foodbankrockies.org.

New Program Staffing Announcements

Avery Guerra, Mobile Pantry Representative

Hello! I’m Avery Guerra, and I am excited to join Food Bank of the Rockies as a Mobile Pantry Representative. I’ve spent the last few years working in food access and community outreach across northern Colorado. In my free time you can catch me gardening, cooking, or hiking around Colorado.