When we say we can’t do what we do without our dedicated, passionate, and hard-working volunteers, we mean it. Last year, volunteers donated more than 20,400 hours to Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope. That’s equivalent to 10 full-time employees and an 89% increase in volunteer hours over the previous year — a truly incredible gift of time, energy, and compassion.
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we are so grateful to all our volunteers who choose to spend their valuable time furthering our cause of igniting the power of community to end hunger. Each year we select individual volunteers and groups to honor for their gift; here are the 2025 volunteer award winners for the Western Slope!
Volunteer of the Year: Rick Caudel
Rick Caudel has been a regular Tuesday and Thursday volunteer with us since June 2023, donating more than 470 hours to our mission during that time. This past year, he also dedicated his time to volunteering alongside the Ariel Clinical Services group during their shifts. His steadfast dedication and drive are shining examples of putting our mission into action, and his impact has been nothing short of remarkable — not only uplifting our neighbors facing food insecurity but also inspiring our staff and fellow volunteers.
Rising Stars of the Year: Allen Sundmacher and Lori Bryant
Allen Sundmacher and Lori Bryant have been regular volunteers at the distribution center since December 2024, and have already donated a combined 70 hours to our mission! They have built a tight-knit community among the other regular Tuesday volunteers; Lori helps with our Dehydrator Program and Allen can be found getting his steps in pulling food throughout the warehouse, and their positivity brings joy to those around them. We are deeply grateful for their ongoing support and passion for our mission.
Corporate Volunteer Group of the Year: Swire Coca-Cola
Whenever we need a group to chip in and volunteer whenever and wherever it’s needed, we know we can count on Swire Coca-Cola. They have shown time and again how important hunger-relief is to them, and we are so thankful to have them in our volunteer community. Volunteering with us since April 2024, they’ve brought their full energy and heart to every single shift. These individuals dedicate an entire day out of their busy work schedules to join us in nourishing our neighbors and consistently show up with incredible enthusiasm — especially when it comes to pushing themselves to beat their previous packing records!
Community Volunteer Group of the Year: West Rockies Church of Delta
A group of 20 volunteers from West Rockies Church of Delta have become a familiar presence at the distribution center, and we are so grateful for them! This incredible group has become a powerhouse of support to our mission with their efficiency and enthusiasm, rising to the challenge of any task given to them. Thanks to their commitment to serving others, we are able to ignite the power of community and get nutrient-dense food into the hands of anyone on the Western Slope experiencing food insecurity.
