When school starts, the Good Samaritan Center in Cortez experiences an influx of people needing assistance.
“A lot of families have spent their money on school supplies,” said Cindy Irvin, executive director of the Good Samaritan Center. “Now they don’t have money for food.”
Located at 25 S. Beech next to the Post Office, the local food bank provides free food to people with a valid photo identification. More than 150 families visit the center every month.
“Our biggest need right now is cereal and peanut butter,” Irvin said.
“The economic downturn has been really bad,” she continued. “We’ve had so many in need that we had to limit people coming in to once every 60 days.”
To help stock the shelves, Great Lakes Aviation has partnered with the center for the past several years to host a food drive. Their 5th Annual “Flyin’ 4 Food” campaign is currently underway.
In honor of Hunger Action Month, the airline will collect any non-perishable food at its counter inside the Cortez Municipal Airport throughout September. To encourage donations, the airline will give away four round-trip tickets between Cortez and Denver.
To enter for a chance to win the free airline tickets, simply drop off food donations at the airport. People can donate as much food as they like; however, only one entry per person, per week is permitted. Donations are accepted at the airport Monday through Friday between 5 a.m. and 1 p.m, and between 3 and 4 p.m.
“The Great Lakes food drive is a real benefit,” said Irvin, who is in her 32nd year of service at the food bank. “They are so good to us.”
Approximately one of every 20 American households struggle putting food on the table. To help ease local shortages, the Good Samaritan Center distributes about $15,000 of food every month.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com