Our Story

At the Food Bank for Larimer County, we believe no one should be hungry. Our dream is to deliver health, hope and humanity to stabilize the lives of our clients and build a vibrant community. We are a private non-profit organization and the only Feeding America clearinghouse for donated food in our county. Each year, we provide food to more than 50,000 people in need through our programs and community partners.

OUR

VISION

A hunger-free Larimer County

OUR

MISSION

Provide food to all in need through community partnerships and hunger-relief programs.

OUR

VALUES

Integrity, accountability, efficiency, dignity

History of the Food Bank

After conducting a survey in 1983, VISTA volunteer, Sandy Bowden verified a need for an efficient, centralized food collection and distribution resource that would avoid duplication of effort. She looked around the state to learn how other communities were serving the food needs of low-income individuals and determined that Larimer County needed a Food Bank.

In 1984, under Sandy’s leadership, the Food Bank for Larimer County opened its doors on East Oak Street.

During the first month of operation, Sandy and her volunteers were proud to provide 3,800 pounds of food to individuals and families in need. In those days, food came primarily from rotating food drives between different houses of worship. In the first 12 months, the Food Bank distributed 56,836 pounds of food.

We’ve grown a lot since those early days of operation.

The Food Bank for Larimer County today distributes enough food for up to 10 million meals a year.

There have been so many innovations, adaptions, and expansions—bettering our ability to help those who are food insecure. We couldn’t have come so far without the work and dedication of the volunteers and staff before us.

Here are a few milestones that help tell our story:

1984

Sandy Bowden founded the Larimer County Food Distribution Center on East Oak Street in Fort Collins to respond to a food security need.

1991

First year distributing 1 million pounds of food.

1994

On July 11, Wendie Robinson became the Food Bank’s next executive director. One of her first accomplishments was installing a new and larger-scale freezer.

1999

Changed name from the Larimer County Food Distribution Center to the Food Bank for Larimer County.

2002

Began distributing fresh produce upon the receipt of a grant from Kraft Foods.

2004

On July 6, the Food Bank’s board appointed Amy Pezzani, agency relations director and executive director for the Ozarks Harvest Food Bank, as the newest Executive Director.

2005

(June) Launched Kids Café program.

2006

New logo and rebranding including the shift from “pantry” as “Fresh Food Share.”
(June) The Loveland Fresh Food Share opens at N. Lincoln Ave. in a leased facility. The expansion comes after the Food Bank sees more than double the number of Loveland residents in need of services — from 489 Loveland visits in 2002 to 1,051 visits in 2006.
First year distributing 5 million pounds of food.
Began operating Fresh Food Share in Loveland.

2007

Reached milestone of partnering with 50 Agency Partners.
First year rescuing 5 million pounds of food rescued from landfill in a year.

2008

First year distributing 5 million meals.
Feeding America was rebranded.

2009

(September) Experience uncharacteristic increase in need at our Food Share pantries indicating the beginning of the Great Recession in Larimer County.
The Food Bank launches Larimer Shares; Growing to Feed the Need—a $2.1 million capital campaign to purchase a permanent facility for Loveland Food Share.

2011

The Food Bank successfully completes Larimer Shares and Loveland Food Share moves into a permanent home at 2600 N. Lincoln Avenue.

2014

As a result of identifying underserved areas, mobile food pantries begin in Berthoud and Southwest Fort Collins.

2015

Began partnership with Rams Against Hunger for on-campus pantry at Colorado State University after years of planning in committee.
The Nappie Project was created.

2016

(May) Food Bank finds an option for a new, permanent distribution center and goes under contract on a building in Loveland.
Partnered with Volunteers of America (VOA) to provide scratch, cooked, hot meals to seniors.

2017

Launches an ambitious capital campaign, Feeding Our Future, a $9.1 million campaign to fund purchase and renovation of a bigger and more functional distribution center. Purchases and begins renovation of new facility in May.
Launched Mobile Pantry program in partnership with Foothills Unitarian Church.
Implemented first community medical based pantry: Family Medicine Center.
The Food Bank debuts its Kids Café food truck. This was made possible thanks to a $50,000 grant from Northern Colorado UNIFY.
Reached milestone of partnering with 100 Agency Partners.
Branding overhaul to new leaf logo.

2018

Moved into our new distribution facility on May 18 – on time and on budget!

2019

Began offering SNAP outreach and support services.
Began the Cooking Matters program.

2020

Identified first pop-up pantry site, which soon led to the permanent mobile pantry at Poudre High School.
Pandemic Pivots:
- Shift to drive-through distribution.
- Huge increase in volunteer support.
- Innovative partnerships (Veg Out).

2021