DENVER -- The streets are quiet in Montbello as many are following the stay-at-home orders, but Thursday morning, the neighborhood nonprofit Montbello Organizing Committee (MOC) expects their food drive to be busy.
“Our community is in need. A lot of people are out of work. A lot of people are unable to leave their homes or just don’t have access to transportation anymore," said MOC project manager Kiera Jackson. "And so that’s why this has become such a big deal, because of everything that’s happening right now."
Jackson said the neighborhood has bore the brunt of the economic issues.
“We’re definitely more hard-hit. In terms of the jobs that have been lost. In terms of the amount of the people that have contracted the virus. We see the need all around us,” she added.
Usually, the bi-monthly food drive gets 150 or so people, but since the shut downs happened, over 1,600 people have been served, "and we’re expecting to serve over 2,000 this coming Thursday,” she said.
That's a microcosm of the issues people are facing and they don't see the need stopping soon.
“Unfortunately, I don’t see these needs slowing down at all. We are preparing to provide this food for as long as the community needs — whether that’s through June, July, August, we unfortunately don’t see these needs slowing down at all, but instead picking up,” Jackson said.
To help provide the help needed, the organization is taking donations through their Facebook page or website. People can also bring food to donate to the Struggle of Love at Academy 360, filling an unprecedented need.
“It’s changed everything drastically and has become one of our biggest focus is in our organization,” she said.
To help their community and keep their pantries full while the streets are empty.
