All across the nation, emergency food assistance providers are experiencing the "perfect storm." Agencies in the Denver metro area report that demand is up, supplies are down and the prospects for the storm passing aren't good.

In response to the growing need, the Denver Indian Center is revitalizing its local food bank, which has been in operation since 1983. JVA Consulting is helping the cause by conducting a food drive for the center's food bank June 11-20, 2008. Donations of nonperishable foods and gift cards ($5-10) can be made at JVA's Denver office (2465 Sheridan Blvd. in Edgewater) during business hours (M-F 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.), allowing families to purchase essential nutrients that the food bank often cannot stock.

"With the current high gas costs, outrageous utility bills and growing unemployment rates, the need for our food bank is greater than ever," explains Jay Grimm, Denver Indian Center executive director and former JVA associate. "Many families are struggling to put a well-balanced meal on the dinner table and too often children and families are eating meals lacking essential vitamins and proteins."

Here are some facts about the latest food crisis:

Supply side:

* Federal TEFAP funding in Colorado has decreased by 50% since 2004

* The agricultural market is good, so there are fewer surpluses to be distributed through government programs

* Food wholesalers have improved inventory systems to the point that fewer surpluses are available for distribution through private agencies

* Food prices are soaring, whether you go to Whole Foods, Safeway or Costco

Demand side:

* Only 20% of Coloradans eligible for publicly-funded nutrition programs are enrolled; Colorado has an abyssmal record of outreach and enrollment (43rd in the nation for percentage of people eligible for food stamps actually getting them...)

* The Colorado Center on Law and Policy estimates that there has been a 45% increase in the amount working families have to spend on food since 2004

* Many working families are struggling financially with the aftermath of the mortgage crisis; pantries are now seeing populations that have never accessed emergency food assistance coming in ever-increasing numbers

The result? Many food pantries are limiting client visits, limiting the amount of food clients can receive when they do visit or closing several days a month; they simply don't have food to provide to their clients.

Clearly the system is broken. Advocacy groups are working hard to address the systemic issues. Food pantries are working hard to ensure that Colorado families can know where the next meal is coming from

Please help the Denver Indian Center food pantry and JVA with our joint food drive. We look forward to seeing you and thank you, in advance, for your donations and support of this invaluable organization! With questions, please call JVA at 303.477.4896.