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Weld Food Bank will have to scale back food they're able to distribute without more volunteers

Posted at 6:06 PM, Sep 21, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-21 20:40:24-04

GREELEY, Colo. — Jon Billheimer knows exactly why he’s volunteering at the Weld County Food Bank.

"There are three needs that every human being has: Food and shelter and food especially," said Billheimer.

For the last eight years, he’s been helping the Weld Food Bank. But this year is more crucial than ever.

"Let’s face it, making a difference when somebody is hungry — that’s where it is, as far as I’m concerned," said Billheimer.

At the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the Weld Food Bank received an outpouring of support from the community.

Usually, they’d have between 60 to 100 people working to get food out the door. Now that number has dropped to about 30.

CEO of Weld Food Bank, Bob O’Connor, says this downward trend is accompanied by an increase in demand.

"We served 140,000 in a three-month window. Now some of that was duplicate but still, 140,000 versus 58,000 in a year versus three months, you can see the significant need," said O'Connor.

But if volunteers don’t return, not everyone who depends on the food bank will be able to take food home.

"This is the most wonderful thing you can do for your fellow human beings here in Weld County and I would encourage you, I would beg you to come and see the operation and be a part of this," said Billheimer.

Weld Food Bank wants people to know they want their volunteers to feel safe by knowing that they are following all state health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

You can help the food bank by clicking here.