The local Durango Food Bank recently helped broker a semi-load shipment of food and essentials for delivery, but food bank Executive Director Sarah Smith was then faced with a distribution challenge. A good portion of the incoming supplies needed to be shared with other food resource hubs, including Montezuma and Archuleta counties.
La Plata County Farm Bureau President Charly Minkler coordinated the food delivery effort with Smith. Volunteers distributed the food immediately, rather than waiting days for delivery. Also participating were San Juan Basin Farm Bureau President Byron Porter, Colorado Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors member Phillis Snyder and Colorado Farm Bureau Insurance southwest agency manager Mark Craig.
Last week, farmers, ranchers and Farm Bureau members and employees lined the road outside the Durango Food Bank to help. Farm Bureau volunteers wrapped pallets and hand-loaded boxes, and volunteers from Milligan Honey Farms brought their forklift, which expedited the operation.
Farm Bureau Insurance companies in six states including Colorado are also jointly donating $2.3 million to help local food banks in response to the Covid-19 crisis.
