Gunnison Country Food Pantry

Gunnison Country Food Pantry’s (GCFP) story began in the 1960s, when neighbors came together to fill the gap for families waiting on food stamps. What started as a small room in the courthouse grew into a community lifeline, and in 2006, Ruthie and Carl Long helped formalize the effort into the nonprofit GCFP. Over the years, new leaders and countless volunteers have carried the mission forward, ensuring that anyone in need can access food with kindness and dignity. In 2023, after decades in borrowed spaces, the Pantry opened its permanent home on 14th Street, becoming a stable resource for the community.

The Pantry’s mission is to provide food assistance to those in need in a kind, confidential, and supportive environment. Over the past year, they have expanded services with the Next Step Network which partners with local agencies such as Living Journeys, LEAP, and GVHEAT. This initiative connects residents with additional resources through dedicated staff support.

To receive food, guests complete a simple self-declaration application, no proof of ID, income, or disability is required. As Executive Director Jodi notes, “We recognize that asking for food assistance is hard. Many people are too proud to do it, so we try to make the process as dignified and simple as possible.” The Pantry’s mission is that no one should feel deterred from accessing the support they need.

Food is distributed up to six days a week. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, guests are welcomed for no-cost grocery shopping, Tuesdays and Fridays are reserved for home deliveries, serving those who face barriers such as sickness, limited mobility, transportation challenges, or caregiving responsibilities. On Wednesdays from 1–7 p.m. Spanish and Cora interpreters are available, although they try to have a Spanish speaking volunteer for every shift. Thursday shopping hours highlight services for retirees 60+, though all are welcome.

They have a Community Connector who helps people navigate local, state, and federal resources—assisting with programs like heating assistance to reduce expenses and free up funds for other necessities. Each month, they receive 5,000–15,000 lbs. of grocery staples, including rice, pasta, and peanut butter, through Care and Share of Southern Colorado. Additional support comes from Feeding America partners like City Market, Safeway, Natural Grocers, and Starbucks, as well as local community donations in red bins placed around town and the non-profits fundraising efforts that fill in the gaps.

The pantry has doubled attendance since Covid and moving to a larger location in 2023 helped expanded storage, including large coolers and a root cellar. However, recent funding cuts have affected staff salaries and operations. The Emergency Food Program faced a 33% federal funding reduction, limiting monthly deliveries. Looking ahead, reductions in SNAP and Medicaid pose the greatest threat, potentially increasing demand as more people lose support.

Food on the Move

Food on the Move offers four mini-pantries across the county, two at local schools, one at CBMR, and one at the Palisades Apartments, restocked monthly. To ensure no one goes without, 26 emergency food box sites, including the Chamber of Commerce, library, and sheriff’s office, are available when the Pantry is closed. On Saturdays from May through October, the Fresh Mobile Pantry delivers produce directly to five low-income Gunnison neighborhoods, no application or ID required.

Gunni Pack Program

In partnership with local schools, the Pantry provides weekend food support through the Gunny Pack program. Volunteers fill backpacks with nutritious items and deliver them to children’s doorsteps each Friday, helping bridge the gap until Monday. The program can serve up to 100 kids each month, averaging about 70.

Mountaineer Marketplace

GCFP partners with Western Colorado University to create Mountaineer Marketplace which is open twice weekly on campus. The program supports college students by providing nutritious food so they can focus on their studies.

Crested Butte

Collaboration with Oh Be Joyful Church in CB included 12 popup pantries in the north valley to assess local needs. GCFP now supplies OBJ with fresh produce, the main item previously lacking from their food pantry. With OBJ’s help the Pantry continues to explore ways to support food security in the north valley.

To donate or access food assistance, visit gunnisoncountryfoodpantry.org or call 970.641.4156.