LIFT-UP was established in May of 1982 in response to the collapse of the oil shale industry and the hardest area hit was Rifle, CO, the epicenter of the crisis.
When the boom hit, the Rifle population had jumped from 2,700 to over 4,500 people as the workers rushed in eager for work. Following the collapse, however, over 2,000 people found themselves out of work, with no way to feed or care for their families: some living in cars and under bridges
In response to the ever-increasing crisis, local churches, businesses, and concerned citizens joined together to create a long-term solution to food insecurity in their town. It was through true community union and compassion that the organization LIFE INTERFAITH TEAM ON UNEMPLOYMENT AND POVERTY or, as we know it today; LIFT-UP.
It was quickly realized that food insecurity went far beyond Rifle and over the past 40 years, LIFT-UP has risen to meet the needs of our communities from Aspen to Parachute. LIFT-UP maintains established Food Pantries in Aspen, Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, New Castle, Rifle, and Parachute in addition to providing mobile food distribution services.
In 2022 LIFT-UP celebrates its 40th Anniversary and with a big number comes a big year. We are expanding our Farm to Food Pantry program which supplies fresh healthy food to our various locations. Support of this initiative is vitally important to our customers, the local farmers, and the Roaring Fork Valley communities. While we may be 40 years from 1982, the same urgent needs exist. We have friends, co-workers, and neighbors who are suffering from food insecurity every day and need our help more than ever. Your support of LIFT-UP’s infrastructure, operations, and food programs are just as important today as they were 40 years ago.
The LIFT-UP Board of Directors is comprised of individuals committed to ending hunger from Parachute to Aspen. With diverse expertise, our Board guides strategic direction, ensures accountability, and champions our mission to create lasting impact in our community.
The rate at which LIFT-UP responded to the closure of our pantries while shifting to mobile distribution was a massive undertaking. Our distribution infrastructure has had to expand and grow as fast as the 600% increase in need we have experienced since 2020. This need is only increasing as we all experience the rapidly rising costs of housing, food, and gas.
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