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Interfaith Food Bank feeds the hungry

Noelle Leavitt Riley
Fanziska Stoddard, left, stands with Jeannie Glimidakis and Barbara Baker at the Interfaith Food Bank based at the American Legion. The food bank acts as an emergency source of food supply for those who are down and out.
Noelle Leavitt Riley

Have you ever been so down and out that you can’t afford food?

It’s an unfortunate reality for many, which is why the Interfaith Food Bank exists — to help put food in the bellies of those who can’t pay for groceries.

Since the early 1970s, the Interfaith Food Bank has served Moffat County residents, making the transition out of poverty smoother.



In January, the Interfaith Food Bank served 410 people, totaling 8,610 meals.

“We will give people food three times a year,” said Barbara Baker who volunteers for the nonprofit organization.



The food bank is set up for emergency assistance to those in need, and it works very hard to not be a grocery store to those who seek to take advantage of the assistance.

“You always have those people who try to take advantage of the system,” said Franziska Stoddard.

In doing so, volunteers keep good track of applications so there isn’t any crossover.

The organization is supported by Moffat County United Way and volunteers. Currently, 20 volunteers give their free time to feed the mouths of hungry residents.

Stationed in the American Legion building, volunteers allocate food based on the number of people in a family.

“Lots of times, people come in and have no food for their family at all,” Baker said.

Baker’s fellow volunteer partner, Jeannie Glimidakis, recalled a time when a family living out of a car needed nourishment.

“We had a family come in with three little boys and they were living out of their car,” she said, noting that the dad eventually got a job.

When you walk into the food bank, you see rows and rows of canned and boxed goods — it’s like a mini grocery store. Once the volunteers figure out how much food each person or family qualifies for, they allow them to choose their food off the shelves according to their likes.

The amount of people served varies a great deal. One day they might have only one person or family and other days they serve more than 20, Glimidakis said.

The food bank is open three days a week from 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Like most nonprofits, it’s the volunteers that keep the program going.

“It’s a very dedicated group of people,” said Brian Baxter, who runs all aspects of the American Legion building.

Baxter’s smile was from ear to ear when he bragged about those who give time at the food bank to help others.

Reach Noelle Leavitt Riley at 970-875-1790 or nriley@craigdailypress.com Follow her on Twitter @noelleleavitt.


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