DENVER — 9Cares Colorado Shares, Bonneville radio stations and King Soopers teamed up over the past month to fight hunger in Colorado.
The 9Cares Virtual Food Drive was able to raise $1,028,826.70 for Food Bank of the Rockies. This amount will fund 4,115,306 meals.
9NEWS, Bonneville's 98.5 KYGO, KOSI 101.1, Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan, King Soopers and American Financing all participated in the food drive from April 13 to May 10.
Food Bank of the Rockies said that demand for food assistance has doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Funds donated to the Food Bank of the Rockies help provide meals for families facing hunger in 30 Colorado counties, including metro Denver, the Eastern Plains, and the Western Slope. Every dollar donated helps the Food Bank of the Rockies provide four meals to local families with children.
The nonprofit Gill Foundation announced a $500,000 gift to the food drive on Thursday, May 7.
“It is very humbling to have the Gill Foundation join what King Soopers, Bonneville Radio and 9Cares Colorado Shares started," said Mark Cornetta, 9NEWS General Manager. "When we set out to help the Food Bank of The Rockies, we always knew the generosity of the community would be there at this important time. It is another reminder of the many great people and organizations who live and work in Colorado."
"When we saw the lines at the food pantries and heard the stories of so many Coloradans suddenly losing their livelihoods, we knew we had to do something,” said Tim Gill and Scott Miller, co-chairs of the Gill Foundation. "The generosity of our fellow Coloradans at this difficult time is an inspiration, and we’re honored to join together to help get food to everyone who needs it. With this gift and the continued generosity of all who can donate, it’s our hope that this campaign will top a million dollars by May 10."
American Financing helped to match gifts up to $100,000. Bonneville and 9NEWS matched the first $10,000 in donations.
The 9Cares Colorado Shares food drive started 37 years ago as a way to support neighbors in need.
“We started 9Cares Colorado Shares as a way to help the people in our community who needed it most," Cornetta said. "The outpouring of love and support from our viewers has been humbling."
As the largest single-day food drive in the state of Colorado, in partnership with Food Bank of the Rockies and King Soopers, 9Cares supports 130 food banks across metro Denver.
“There is a great need once again, brought on in large part by this pandemic," said 9NEWS General Manager Mark Cornetta. "We are thankful to be working with King Soopers, Food Bank of the Rockies and Bonneville Radio Group to address the need."
“It is critically important to help Food Bank of the Rockies support the growing need created by the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. We couldn’t be happier teaming up with our partners at 9NEWS and King Soopers to help fill this growing need,” said Bonneville Denver SRVP/Market Manager Bob Call.
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