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Food Pantry
ESM maintains the largest food pantry in Colorado Springs with the most consistent hours of service. The pantry is stocked with nutritious canned and packaged goods supplied from three primary sources: member churches, Care and Share Food Bank of Southern Colorado, and outright food purchases. In addition, ESM stocks commodities supplied by the Federal Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program.
Last year, ESM served 4,700 families comprising 12,000 people with emergency food. ESM also distributes holiday food baskets to area families at Thanksgiving and Christmas. In 2007 nearly 500 families received food baskets, amounting to 1,550 people in total. |
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There are two programs available through the ESM food pantry.
Emergency Food Pantry
To qualify for emergency food:
- live in one of the ESM zip code service areas (80903, 80905, 80906, 80907, 80909, 80910, 80916, 80926). For those living outside these zip codes, assistance might be provided with a written referral from a primary agency in their zip code. Other exceptions may apply.
- be age 19 though 59
- provide a photo ID
- provide social security cards for every member of the household
- based on income levels, size of family, and emergency needs.
Emergency food assistance is a
4-day food supply. A client may
access the emergency food pantry
4 times per year. |
USDA Commodity Program
This is a federal sponsored program; therefore, there is no zip code restrictions. However these qualifications do apply:
- based on income levels and size of family. If a household receives any type of public assistance, it automatically qualifies for the USDA Commodity Program.
- monthly food distribution based on income levels.
- designed to supplement food client receives from other sources.
- availablity of items varies month to month (dependent on USDA deliveries).
- requires a "commodities" card; client can sign up for a card at ESM.
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"The housing volunteer counselors were very helpful in getting my rent paid. It was a reassuring feeling knowing I was being helped. Thank you!"
-Mary
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In response to the Gospel, ESM promotes self-sufficiency and restores dignity by providing food, medicine, housing, job placement, educational programs, and spiritual encouragement.
ESM provides a collaborative Christian response to low income and homeless people in crisis.
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©
2007-2008 Ecumenical Social Ministries, Colorado Springs, CO
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