Care and Share Food Distribution Set for Las Animas County Fairgrounds March 18

The monthly Care and Share food distribution drew Las Animas County residents to the fairgrounds on N. Linden Ave. in Trinidad on Wednesday, March 18, with the South Central Council of Governments (SCCOG) and Care and Share of Southern Colorado coordinating the effort as they do each fourth Tuesday of the month.

Seniors received priority access from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., with the general public welcomed beginning at 11:30 a.m. The food is provided at no cost, with eligibility based on income or enrollment in assistance programs including SNAP, Medicaid, or SSI. Two federal nutrition programs, the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), fund the distributions.

Alongside the human food distribution, Colorado Pet Pantry ran a separate pet food distribution at the fairgrounds in partnership with Care and Share of Southern Colorado and TEFAP. That event, scheduled on the Wednesday after the third Tuesday of each month, served residents 60 and older from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and opened to all ages from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Recipients of Colorado Pet Pantry distributions are eligible to receive pet food once every three months and may only visit one pantry location per three-month period.

SCCOG has credited volunteers and American Legion Post 11 with keeping the monthly events running smoothly. "We are especially grateful to our dedicated volunteers and the American Legion Post 11, whose ongoing support and service help make these events successful and welcoming for all," the organization stated. Colorado Pet Pantry is also actively seeking volunteers for future distribution dates.

The distributions recur each month at the Las Animas County Fairgrounds, 2200 N. Linden Ave. Residents with questions can contact SCCOG's Brenda Poe at 719-845-1133, ext. 213. SCCOG operates as an equal opportunity provider under USDA nondiscrimination guidelines.