Carolyn Alexander, chief operating officer of the Action Center, told Jefferson County commissioners at the Sept. 30 meeting that food assistance providers in the county are seeing greater need while receiving less donated food.

Alexander said the Action Center is currently serving “about 250 families a day” but that quantities of donated food have declined. She told the board organizers had launched “Feeding GEFCO Together,” a coalition of 10 area food pantries, as part of Hunger Action Month with a collective fundraising goal of $12,000; she said the group had raised about $2,600 so far.

Alexander described recent cuts in USDA deliveries and reduced distributions from the Food Bank of the Rockies, and she asked the county to help “strengthening food security policies and identifying new funding streams so that Jefferson families don’t go hungry.” Commissioner Dahlkemper thanked Alexander and offered to accept campaign materials for follow up with county public affairs staff.

Ending: The Action Center’s testimony framed an immediate local need for new funding and policy work to support pantries and meal programs; commissioners and staff acknowledged the shortages and noted county staff would follow up on resources and outreach.