Wanda, 76, has been a Bienvenidos volunteer for four years. “I’ve always had a yearning to help people who are struggling and I saw a food bank as a place I could do that,” she says. “I love being here. I feel so good when I see people getting things they need.”
On Thursday afternoons, the boxes of produce are sorted by fruit and vegetables. They’re carefully stacked by size and color and are as neat as any grocery store. That’s thanks to Tyler Mangin, 37, a Bienvenidos volunteer for two years. An economist, Tyler was looking to volunteer at a food bank when he moved back to
Mel has been a Bienvenidos volunteer and board member for six years. “Our volunteers are so enthusiastic, have bought into our mission and that makes them so good to our clients,” he says. “Having spent my professional life in the non-profit world, I know how important it is to make sure people’s basic needs are
Josephina doesn’t have a car. She’s grateful Bienvenidos brings food to Quigg Newton Homes in Denver, where she lives with her granddaughter Mila, 5. “Food is so expensive these days. This is such a blessing for us.”
Michael calls himself a soldier and a survivor. A resident of Del Norte Veterans Apartments in Denver, Michael, 50, says he was in the U.S. Army for “10 years, five months and six days.” Michael grew up in Westminster, but he traveled the world in the Army, seeing action in Kosovo in 1999. “It’s not
Carmen, 58, knows what it’s like to be hungry and alone. A native of Rota, Spain, Carmen was orphaned at a young age and never learned to read or write. She had jobs from age 7, and eventually moved to Denver to care for a disabled uncle. After he died, she found herself at a homeless shelter
Angel, 40, works full-time as a Denver restaurant server to support her five children. She had more than $600 monthly in SNAP benefits to support her family during COVID. This month, her payment dropped to $36. “I’m sad and stressed out,” she says. Now Angel goes to food banks to help her get enough food for her
