brother jeff visits The Morning Set: Post-SNAP, pantries are lean
Longtime community activist Jeff Fard, known by everybody as “Brother Jeff,” visited The Morning Set. With the interruption of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from the federal government, Fard reports a serious depletion of food supplies at his community center, which serves the Five Points neighborhood and beyond.
Abi Clark: I mean, these needs, it can be hard to come out and ask, but to have the community come together and create that sense of unity as we're all trying to get through this, is so powerful.
brother jeff: In this time, the stigma is lifted because so many individuals are impacted. And when you come into an environment where it's community, it's not like you're asking or you're coming into a place where it's unfamiliar. It's coming home, saying, I'm going to grab a few things, and then I'll be back another time. And that's the vibe that we have. And so no stigma, no shame, no questions. It's all about come in, see your family, get what you need, and we'll restock.
Steve Chavis: You have created a feeling, a sense of we are in this together. We are community. These are your neighbors. And so there is no us/them.
brother jeff: There's never an us/them. And that's what it's about. It's us coming together. And particularly when we were talking about SNAP benefits that have stopped, the federal government is shut down, we continue doing what we're doing regardless of any of the circumstances. But when circumstances like this arrive, it puts a greater strain in terms of what we're able to do.
brother jeff’s Cultural Center is preparing to serve thousands of free hot dinners on Thanksgiving Day while restocking its community pantry to support families well beyond the holidays. Community members are invited to donate nonperishable food and household essentials to help restock the pantry and support Thanksgiving meal preparation.
What’s Needed Most:
Canned & Shelf-Stable Proteins: Canned pre-cooked chicken, beef, tuna, salmon, or sardines; canned ravioli, beef stew, chili (no pork), or spaghetti with meatballs (beef or turkey); canned soups; peanut butter; canned beans (vegetarian or no pork).
Grains & Pasta: Rice, spaghetti, macaroni & cheese, instant noodles, instant mashed potatoes, stuffing mix (no pork), tortillas.
Canned Fruits & Vegetables: Corn, green beans, peas, carrots, mixed vegetables, fruit cocktail, peaches, pineapple, pears, applesauce, tomato products.
Snacks & Comfort Foods: Crackers, pretzels, granola bars, chips, cookies, popcorn, trail mix, nuts, dried fruit, breakfast bars.
Beverages: Bottled water, juice boxes, instant coffee, tea bags, powdered drink mixes.
Condiments & Cooking Essentials: Salt, pepper, seasoning blends, cooking oil, sugar, flour, cornmeal, honey, syrup, jelly/jam.
Personal & Household Essentials: Toilet paper, paper towels, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, hand sanitizer/wipes.
KUVO, THE DROP 104.7, and Rocky Mountain PBS are accepting donations at Rocky Mountain Public Media studios, 2101 Arapahoe St., Denver, CO 80205, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Nov. 21, as well as brother jeff’s Cultural Center at 2836 Welton Street, Denver, CO 80205, Tuesday through Friday from 1 to 4:30 p.m.
Photos & audio credit: Weston Wilkins, Radio Multimedia Producer
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