Summer is historically a very busy time for food banks. They see an increase in need as families try to feed students that had been receiving federal free and reduced-cost lunches at their schools.

The donations of food and toiletries will supply more than 110 food banks in metro Denver and along the Front Range from Fort Collins to Castle Rock. Any non-perishable food is appreciated; however, food banks prefer foods high in protein. Those include peanut butter, tuna fish, and dry beans. They also always need soups and stews, Mac and Cheese, hot cereals, oatmeal, canned fruit and vegetables, and baby formula with iron. Food banks also need toiletry items such as diapers, shampoo, condition, soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes.

Clothing collected only at 9News.  Goodwill accepts all clothing. Goodwill is a non-profit organization that will use the funds created by the sale of clothing to fund their programs which serve at-risk youth, individuals moving from welfare to work, and disabled individuals. In return, Goodwill provides clothing vouchers for area clothing banks to allow those in need to shop at Goodwill stores.

Cash and check donations were accepted at all 9Cares sites. Checks may also be mailed to the following address:

9Cares Colorado Shares
c/o 9NEWS
500 Speer Boulevard
Denver, CO 80203

Here are the locations that participated:

Denver
9News Studios
500 Speer Boulevard (Speer and Logan)


Brighton
King Soopers
500 E. Bromley Lane


Castle Rock
King Soopers (I-25 & Founders Parkway)
100 Founders Parkway


King Soopers (I-25 & Castle Pines)
7284 Lagae Road

Elizabeth
113 South Elizabeth Street,
Elizabeth, CO 80107

Firestone
King Soopers
6110 Firestone Boulevard


Fort Collins
King Soopers (JFK & Harmony)
4503 John F. Kennedy Parkway


Greeley
King Soopers (Westlake)
2100 35th Avenue


Longmont
King Soopers 1611 Pace Street
Pace St. near 17th Ave.
King Soopers 995 S. Hover Street
Hover Street near Nelson
King Soopers 2255 N. Main Street
Main St. & 23rd Ave.


Loveland
King Soopers in Orchard Plaza
253 E. 29th Street


Parker
Parker Task Force (Food Bank)
20118 East Main Street


King Soopers (Stroh Ranch)
12959 S. Parker Road


King Soopers (Stonegate)
17031 Lincoln Avenue


Windsor
King Soopers
1520 Main Street