DENVER — A refrigerated truck that's normally used to hand out free samples is taking on a new life as a mobile food bank.
"Prior to the pandemic we were serving between 1,100 and 1,500 families a month, we are going to average about 10,000 families a month right now," said John Gallegos, Executive Director of Metro Ministries.
Boulder-based frozen yogurt brand, Yasso, suddenly found its truck sitting idle after COVID-19 concerns forced them to cancel several events. The company realized the truck's potential to do good and loaned the vehicle to Metro Ministries.
"Right now, we're going to probably serve an extra 20 properties over the next month with their equipment that they're loaning us," said Gallegos.
Metro Ministries is serving all of the Denver Housing Authority properties, in addition to housing facilities for veterans and other income-restricted buildings.
"I appreciate it immensely, and I know everybody else in the building does," said Tammy Gyles after she received one of the boxes.
Gyles said many of the residents in her building do not own a car and worry using public transportation could threaten their health.
"It helps a lot that you don't have to travel to go get the food," said Gyles.
As a result of serving more people, Metro Ministries has increased its monthly budget by $15,000, and the nonprofit is in need of donations. Metro Ministries is working as an emergency partner agency for the Food Bank of the Rockies.
"I had a young man that came to our church two weeks ago that when we gave him his box of food, he thanked me and said you saved me from having to go out and steal food tonight," said Gallegos.
