MONTE VISTA — As the holiday season draws near, the needs of the Monte Vista Emergency Food Bank grow bigger.

On average the local food bank provides meals to 500-700 people for Thanksgiving. 

Christmas usually brings between 200-500 more people looking to feed their families for the holidays.

MV Emergency Food Bank Executive Director Jennifer Becker said, “Our food bank runs solely on the generous donations of the community. Individuals, businesses, churches, clubs, and schools make our job a little easier, in helping to provide for people's food needs. We are still in need of many donations to provide food for the holidays.”

The food bank has specific needs for the holidays and tries to provide everything a household would need to make a traditional holiday meal. The following list includes most of what the food bank gives in their special holiday bags to the community. The food bank requests that all items are unopened, and not expired.

• Turkeys (whole and/or breast)
• Ham loaves (whole or half)
• Dressing (boxed)
• Sweet potatoes or yams (canned)
• Cranberries (canned)
• Green beans (canned)
• Pumpkin (canned)
• Evaporated milk
• Crushed or chunked pineapple
• Chicken broth and or cream of mushroom soup
• Cake or cookies mixes
• Jell-O (boxed)
• Olives (canned)

To donate, contact Becker at 719-850-2709. People can also bring food donations directly to the food bank during their business hours.

The Monte Vista Emergency Food Bank is open Tuesdays and Fridays from 2 to 4 p.m., and their phone number is 719-852-4851. The food bank is located at 245 Washington St. in Monte Vista. The food bank is on Facebook and people can email Becker directly at [email protected]. Monetary donations are always needed. Mail your check to PO Box 844, Monte Vista, CO 81144.