Current Board Chair
President & CEO
The stories we heard from neighbors and Hunger Relief Partners this year had a common, heart-breaking theme: I’m working harder and trying harder, and it’s just not enough.
As the cost of living continues to rise, hundreds of thousands of people in our region face impossible choices between having enough to eat and accessing other basic necessities. More and more people are turning to us and our partners for nourishment, and we are operating with too little space and reduced federal support. We need to do more, and we have a bold plan to do exactly that: This winter, Food Bank of the Rockies is opening a brand-new, purpose-built distribution center.
This building, located a few miles east of our current Denver facility, will allow us to:
Throughout our service area, one in eight people lives with food insecurity. Hunger is not just a concerning issue, but a public health crisis. Even though we have quintupled our food distribution volume over the last 20 years, it’s still not enough. In the shadow of these challenges, though, are powerful opportunities and hope. In this report, you will learn about the new distribution center, encounter stories from neighbors, and discover the exciting ways Food Bank of the Rockies showed up for our community this past fiscal year.
Together as a community committed to ending hunger, we can build a legacy of hunger relief for our neighbors today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.
With gratitude,
Erin Pulling
President & CEO
Christina Bowen
Board Chair
Christina Bowen
Current Board Chair
Erin Pulling
President & CEO
Since Food Bank of the Rockies was founded in 1978, the cost of housing has increased by 734% — from $66,400 to $533,692. As the cost of living climbs, more people are turning to us and our Hunger Relief Partners for help, making a new distribution center not just necessary, but vital for the health of our communities.
“Our new facility is more than numbers, concrete, and steel; it represents full plates and full lives,” shared Erin Pulling, president and CEO. “It is the embodiment of the community coming together with a shared belief that every person deserves the nourishment they need to thrive.”
This is about more than a new building: it’s about creating a hunger-free future for all.
Our fiscal year 2025 audited financial reports will be available online in early 2026. To access financial reports from recent years and our upcoming FY25 report, please visit: foodbankrockies.org/about/financials
Isabel works as a pastry chef and recently began attending a mobile pantry with her partner, who is unable to work.
“Having a single income is hard and having food really makes a difference,” she shared. “Getting food from the Food Bank has been huge, especially being able to save a little bit and not having to worry as much about bills. It’s nice to see so many people who also need food; it makes me feel like I’m not alone. It’s hard to admit that you need help. I’m doing my best, but it feels like it’s not enough. But it’s not your fault that it’s not enough, it’s really not.”
Every year in the U.S., 92 billion pounds of surplus food is generated. Fortunately, more businesses are improving their donation programs in recognition of the cost savings, tax incentives, and positive environmental impacts.
Last fiscal year, 57% of the food we distributed came from our Food Rescue Program. We aim to increase that amount with our new distribution center.
“It’s this beautiful ecosystem of everyone working together to capture surplus food and put it to good use,” said Mark Weslar, Food Sourcing Director. “By collaborating on the manufacturing, retail, and agricultural levels, we can capture food in our community and keep it in our community. We couldn’t feed folks like we do without Food Rescue.”
Food Bank of the Rockies relies on the experience and dedication of so many people. To meet our board of directors and leadership team, please visit foodbankrockies.org/about/leadership
It’s hard to overstate how impactful Food Bank of the Rockies’ new Denver-area home will be for our community. We outgrew our current distribution center 14 years ago, and have done everything in our power to keep up with the need despite the hurdles.
This new building is our chance to strengthen our region’s charitable food ecosystem for decades to come. This new distribution center is a bold step toward building a hunger-free future for all of our neighbors. Because it is only when all of us are nourished that our community as a whole can thrive.
Inspired to learn more? Check out and download our full annual report.
