A Front Range-based organization has partnered with LiftUp of Routt County, the town of Yampa, Oak Creek Library and Hayden Congregational Church to establish new community pantries, offering free food for food-insecure residents throughout Routt County.

“This project really was a community effort and we are so appreciative to have incredible partnerships with LiftUp Routt County and Yampa, Oak Creek and Hayden,” said Rachel Long, the Moniker Foundation High Country leader, in a statement. “We just were able to piggyback off what was already being done and provide a little more stability.”

The Colorado Springs-based Moniker Foundation provides grants to other nonprofits in the state, covering three major regions — the Pikes Peak Region, the Southwest Region, and the High Country Region.

The Moniker Foundation’s High Country Region board supports nonprofits in both Routt and Summit counties, assisting with community-driven projects since 2018.

Inspired by Heart of Steamboat’s Blessing Box, the new food pantries will provide 24/7 access to residents who may struggle with transportation to the grocery store or the LiftUp food banks during operational hours. 

Establishing the boxes was fully funded by the Moniker Foundation, which identified areas of Routt County that do not have consistent access to food pantries.

Each bear-proof food box will be filled with the help of volunteer donations and LiftUp, and will be accessible year-round to anyone in need.

“We met with several people in the area to get a grasp of what services were already available, where there were gaps in support and funding, and how we could help make some existing food pantries more sustainable,” continued Long.

The new food boxes come just before Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits are put on hold due to the federal government shutdown, leaving food-insecure residents more vulnerable than ever.

“We realize this is not a permanent solution to solving food insecurity across Routt County, but we hope that it gives community members a little reprieve, especially amongst current cuts to SNAP and other federal programs,” Long said.

To continue to support the 423 Routt County households that rely on SNAP assistance, county commissioners on Tuesday approved up to $60,000 to supply grocery store gift cards.

For the town of Yampa, deputy clerk Amanda Laman said the pantry will help residents, especially the elderly, have consistent, reliable access to food regardless of income or access to transportation.

Located at Town Hall in Yampa, the pantry is intended to provide a simple and easy way for residents to get food.

“We wanted somewhere that people could come and there are no restrictions,” said Laman. “There’s no paperwork. You don’t have to physically see anyone, and there’s 24/7 access to it.”

For Oak Creek, LiftUp of Routt County recognized that its food bank’s limited hours do not fully meet community needs.

Located at the Oak Creek Library, the food pantry is stocked by volunteer donations, with Long and Routt County Commissioner Angelica Salinas making sure the box stays full.

Hayden’s new food box will accompany the previously established Blessing Box, located at the Hayden Congregational Church.

Although the new food pantry has not been installed yet, the Blessing Box remains open.

With box wrap designs created by local artist Julia Ben-Asher, all three food pantries are now available for donations from community members.

“We’re really excited that we were able to support these organizations and what was already in the works as far as food pantries and then establish some new ones also,” Long said.