Our Community Eats is partnering with national nonprofit PORCH Communities to launch PORCH Pagosa Springs, a neighborhood-driven food collection initiative that will help feed local families facing hunger.
With more than 12 percent of Archuleta County residents experiencing food insecurity, the chapter aims to build a community-powered solution rooted in simplicity and service.
Our Community Eats currently serves 3,000 individuals per month with some level of food support. By partnering with PORCH Communities — whose model turns ordinary front porches into hubs of food collection — the organization seeks to scale its reach and create lasting infrastructure to fight hunger locally.
Volunteers as chapter leads and neighborhood coordinators are needed to help launch and sustain this effort. These roles involve organizing, recruiting and training volunteers, organizing monthly food pick-ups from neighbors’ porches, and delivering donations to Our Community Eats for redistribution.
“Partnering with PORCH Communities allows us to bring more people into this work with a model that’s simple, consistent and proven,” said Sandra Dillon of Our Community Eats. “Every can or food staple left on a porch and every volunteer who steps up gets us closer to a hunger-free community.”
Founded in 2010, PORCH Communities supports 50+ chapters across 15 states, having delivered 15 million pounds of food through its volunteer-led approach. The organization offers chapters step-by-step guidance, resources and a supportive network to ensure sustainable success.
For Our Community Eats, the launch of a PORCH chapter means increased food donations, stronger volunteer engagement and the ability to continue providing necessary food staples to community members who need it most, including seniors, low-income families and individuals experiencing temporary food insecurity.
Community members interested in helping launch PORCH Pagosa Springs can contact Jennifer Kready at jennifer@porchcommunities.org or visit www.porchcommunities.org.
About Our Community Eats
Our Community Eats connects food to families in need in Pagosa Springs and surrounding areas through a market-style pantry. Patrons shop and only take food items they will use, eliminating food waste from unwanted items typically provided in a prepackaged food box.
Our Community Eats partners with TEFAP, Care and Share, local farmers and producers, nonprofit foundations, volunteers, and grocery stores to secure food and build a hunger-free Archuleta County. Learn more at www.ourcommunityeats.com.
About PORCH
Communities
PORCH Communities is a grassroots organization mobilizing volunteers to create sustainable hunger relief programs in their local areas. Our simple model is used by 2,000 volunteers in 600+ neighborhoods across 15 states. Visit www.porchcommunities.org to learn how PORCH is helping neighbors.
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