Pictured: Pastor Mike Polhemus, The Rock Church; Pat Greaser, Parker Task Force; Douglas County Commissioner Lora Thomas; Dan Marlow, Help and Hope Center; Douglas County Commissioner George Teal; Brie Dilley, SECOR Cares; Nicole Forshey, Cherry Hills Community Church; Pastor Curt Taylor, Cherry Hills Community Church; Lindy Mariotti, The Rock Church; Debbie Blair, SECOR Cares; Jenny Magill, SECOR Cares
You’ve noticed the increase in your grocery bill, so it won’t surprise you to learn that the average grocery bill in Douglas County has increased 128% since 2021, according to local food banks.
As food prices continue to rise, more Douglas County residents need a helping hand. In 2023, 2,070 Douglas County households received meals from two of the largest food banks in Douglas County – SECOR Cares and Help and Hope Center. This marks an 18% increase from the previous year.
In Douglas County, it’s a core priority to ensure no one falls through the cracks. To support the growing need for food and offset increasing costs, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners is providing a one-time donation of $70,000 to five local food banks that serve our community. The donation is funded by Douglas County’s general fund.
Based on the overall impact on Douglas County, the following donations are being allocated:
- Help and Hope Center $20,000
- Parker Task Force $15,000
- SECOR Cares $15,000
- Manna Cares (Cherry Hills Community Church) $10,000
- The Rock Church $10,000
“We’ve all watched the price of groceries increase. Many people are asking for help for the first time. As the need grows, we must expand our safety net, so no one falls through the cracks,” said Commissioner Lora Thomas.
This donation will help provide local food banks with the financial resources needed to provide food to our vulnerable residents. If you or someone you know is struggling to find their next meal and needs help, visit our food bank webpage for more resources. If you are interested in donating to a food bank or volunteering, you are invited to reach out to a food bank individually.