Pueblo working to provide meals to combat hunger throughout holidays

PUEBLO — Pueblo is helping the hungry for the upcoming holidays.

The city is partnering with the Pueblo Food Project to deliver 5,820 meals over the next six weeks to people who need extra support feeding their families this year. The effort was made possible through Pueblo's Coronavirus Relief Funds.

"I think it is so special to have the support of our local government," said Monique Marez, coordinator of the Pueblo Food Project. "We're talking about a big investment that went into our community to support our local food businesses."

The meal kits will be full of turkey, tamales, potica, and cookies from local suppliers. Some of the names featured in the kit include Bay's Meat Market, Mauro Farms and Bakery, and El Pompano Tortilleria.

Mayor Nick Gradisar expressed his excitement for the project in a City Council meeting yesterday. Marez thinks the project is a great reminder to everyone this year, that there is still plenty to be thankful for.

“There’s a lot going on and it’s a really challenging time, but we do have a lot to be grateful for, and we are a community that sticks together and we aim to help each other. No one is doing this alone. We’re all in it together.”

Anyone struggling with hunger can enter their information into the "Pantry Locator" on the Care and Share website.

According to Feeding America, 23,140 people in Pueblo dealt with food insecurity as of 2018.