Funds Will be Used to Help Expand Volunteer Center to Recruit and Train Volunteers
PALISADE, Colo. (Jan. 27, 2022) – Bellco today announced a major gift of $100,000 to Food Bank of the Rockies to support the construction of the new Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope Etkin Family Distribution Center in Grand Junction.
The Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope Etkin Family Distribution Center will be a 50,400-square-foot warehouse and food distribution center that will allow Food Bank of the Rockies to relocate from its existing 28,600-square-foot facility. The larger, modernized space will also include a Volunteer Center, made possible by Bellco, to help provide more volunteer opportunities for community members and larger groups.
“Volunteering is a rewarding and meaningful way to help our communities grow and thrive. By funding the Volunteer Center, we are able to support staff and volunteers who work every day to organize and distribute food to partners and programs,” said John Rivera, senior vice president and chief retail officer, Bellco Credit Union. “We’ve been honored to partner with Food Bank of the Rockies over the years as a way of giving back to the people on the Western Slope who have provided support to our financial institution since 2009.”
Bellco continually focuses on making an impact within their communities in the areas of financial empowerment, quality of life, and arts and culture. The Western Slope is composed of many diverse neighborhoods that present unique opportunities for Bellco to make a difference on a local level. “Basic needs like food, water, and shelter are essential and is one reason why Bellco partners with Food Bank of the Rockies – they work to fight hunger throughout Colorado by providing food and essentials to more than 800 Hunger Relief Partners,” Rivera said.
Over the years, Bellco employees have donated time to Food Bank of the Rockies, both on their own and in groups working on projects such as loading and sorting product and building orders to help nourish the Western Slope.
“Bellco volunteers have been instrumental in helping us meet food needs for people in our community,” said Sue Ellen Rodwick, director of Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope Distribution Center. “Bellco also purchased our two dehydration units back in 2011, which has made a significant positive impact in our communities by providing a nutritious snack option for children and their families. It is thanks to dedicated partners like Bellco that each of our programs to fight hunger are able to exist.”
About Bellco
Bellco is one of Colorado’s largest financial institutions, with more than $6 billion in assets and 26 branches in Colorado. Founded in 1936, Bellco offers a full range of financial products and services including home equity loans, auto loans and checking accounts. Today, Bellco has more than 350,000 members who benefit from the advantages of a credit union, including lower interest rates on loans, higher yields on savings and access to thousands of ATMs nationwide. Connect with Bellco on Facebook and Twitter. Bellco is federally insured by NCUA and is an Equal Housing Lender.
About Food Bank of the Rockies
Food Bank of the Rockies is the largest hunger-relief organization in the Rocky Mountain region. Since 1978, we’ve put the power of community to work for our neighbors in need. Through partnerships. Through programs. Through people. Through you. Everything we do is fueled by the support of our community and donors, and 96 cents of every dollar goes directly to distribution. With support from our community, we distribute enough food daily for over 26,700 meals on the Western Slope. For more information about the new facility, please visit: foodbankrockies.org/ws-capital-campaign
