Lake County Community Fund works to help thousands around in Colorado

LEADVILLE, Colo. — A once-small food pantry at Leadville's St. George Episcopal Church has grown bigger and busier.

"We serve more than 3,000 people per year through our food pantry, close to 30,000 visits," said St. George Episcopal Church Pastor in Residence Melissa Earley. "Lake County as has a population of six or seven thousand, so we are really helping to feed quite a number of people in Lake County."

The food pantry is just one of many nonprofit organizations around Leadville helped by the Lake County Community Fund.

"In the past three years, Lake County has raised over $500,000 supporting 25 organizations locally," said John McMurtry at the Lake County Community Fund.

The Lake County Community Fund collects donations and then spreads that money out among nonprofits that help feed people, run after school and child care programs, or even preserve history, such as contributions to the Tabor Opera House.

"The Tabor Opera House is one of the great assets not only to Lake County, but Colorado there’s a lot of history there," McMurtry said.

The cost of living has traditionally been more affordable in Leadville, so many of the residents live in Lake County but drive an hour or more to Eagle or Summit counties to work, creating a big need for child care programs.

 "Seventy-five to eighty percent of our workforce commutes to Eagle Summit County," McMurtry said. "So, we have great need in child care after school programs and food security is a big issue as well."

The once-affordable community of Leadville is also now seeing new homes being built and selling for $800,000, putting more pressure on residents and organizations.

The Saint George Food Pantry has become so busy that it stores food in the church.

"It’s in the sanctuary," said Earley. "We worship on Sundays but other days all we do is food."

People can donate or learn more about the Lake County Community Fund and the nonprofits they support online here.

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