Food Bank for Larimer County Seeks 4,700 Turkeys Amid SNAP Benefit Freeze
The Food Bank for Larimer County aims to collect 4,700 turkeys this year to help families facing food insecurity during Thanksgiving, particularly as disruptions to federal nutrition assistance programs intensify demand for emergency food services.
The organization announced the increased turkey drive goal on November 4 as the ongoing freeze on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits continues to strain Northern Colorado households. The freeze has prevented new SNAP applications from being processed and existing benefits from being adjusted due to federal budget uncertainties and state administrative backlogs, according to Feeding Colorado.
New Belgium Brewing will partner with the food bank for the November 20 turkey collection event known as Tour de Turkey. The Fort Collins-based brewery's volunteer team will provide incentives to the first 250 donors at collection sites.
The Food Bank for Larimer County, founded in 1984, distributed nearly 10 million pounds of food in its most recent reporting year and serves more than 50,000 Larimer County residents annually, according to the organization's records. The nonprofit operates two brick-and-mortar food markets in Fort Collins and Loveland, plus three mobile distribution sites serving smaller communities including Berthoud, Wellington, Estes Park, Laporte and Red Feather Lakes.
SNAP serves as Colorado's largest anti-hunger program, and disruptions to the federal benefit system have increased pressure on local food distribution networks statewide, according to Feeding Colorado advocacy materials. Approximately 11.2 percent of Larimer County residents experience food insecurity, representing roughly 39,000 people, based on U.S. Census Bureau demographic data.
The November 20 collection events coincide with peak demand for holiday food assistance. The food bank partners with more than 100 local agencies including emergency shelters, schools and service providers to distribute food throughout Larimer County.
Residents interested in donating turkeys or supporting the drive can find collection site details and donation information at the Food Bank for Larimer County's website.