LIFT-UP

A nonprofit organization

$38,050 raised by 157 donors

95% complete

$40,000 Goal

In 1982, when the oil shale mining collapse hit Colorado's Western Slope, LIFT-UP emerged as a beacon of hope in Rifle, Colorado. What began as a response to local crisis has grown into a vital force in fighting hunger from Parachute to Aspen.

Today, LIFT-UP is the leader in providing equitable food security across Garfield, Pitkin, and Eagle Counties. Through food pantries, drive-thru distributions, and partnerships with over 45 local farmers, LIFT-UP ensures families have access to fresh, healthy, and sustainable food. The organization operates on the belief that no parent should have to worry about feeding their children, and no family should have to choose between paying utilities and putting food on the table.

The need for food assistance continues to grow at an unprecedented rate. By the third quarter of 2024, LIFT-UP had already served over 140,000 guests—surpassing the entire previous year's total of 128,084 visits with three months still remaining. This dramatic increase reflects the growing challenges families face in our community as they navigate rising costs of living and reduced food assistance benefits.

Every donation helps transform worry into relief, scarcity into abundance, and isolation into community connection. Support for LIFT-UP provides more than food—it provides hope and empowerment, strengthening the entire community in creating a future where everyone in Colorado's Western Slope thrives in a community free from hunger and filled with opportunity.

Testimonials

This past year we found ourselves in need of help. We had mounting medical bills due to health issues resulting in numerous ER visits and surgeries. We didn't have medical insurance at the time and were paying $800 a month on medical bills alone on top of a mortgage and various other bills. It came to the point that we were struggling to keep food in the pantry and food on the table.

We had no choice but to swallow our pride and reach out for help. I reached out to a friend who told me about LIFT-UP and how they supported the community. We attended one of the pantries. The LIFT-UP volunteers were wonderful and just started filling boxes and bags of food for our family of seven. There was no judgment; just love.

LIFT-UP helped us get through last Thanksgiving and Christmas. We are so grateful for what they did for our family. They were a beaming light in a trying time of darkness. We appreciate them and are eternally grateful for providing us with what we needed and for their love and compassion.

Mission

MISSION: LIFT-UP is the leader in providing equitable food security for individuals and families: educating, building understanding and support to end hunger from Parachute to Aspen.

PURPOSE: We believe access to fresh, healthy, and sustainable food provides hope and empowerment, strengthening our community.

LIFT-UP programs include:

•Food assistance program

Guests can receive a wide variety of fresh healthy and nutritious food, including items, such as dry beans, cereal, pasta, canned soups, meat, dairy, eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables at our six fixed pantries and our ten mobile distributions.

• The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

Clients who qualify receive food assistance once a month through distribution of U.S. Department of Agriculture commodities. Current distribution is done through the drive-through distribution sites.

• Commodity Supplemental Food Program (for Seniors)

Seniors who qualify receive a box of food once a month through the U.S. Department of Agriculture commodities.

• Extended Table / Soup Kitchens

The Extended Table (soup kitchen) has been a vital part of LIFT-UP’s programs for the past 23 years. After its launch in 1995 by members of The Glenwood Mennonite Church, with support from other area churches, The Extended Table was brought under the umbrella of LIFT-UP right from the beginning to make it a community service that would not be associated with any church or individual, and to provide a channel for people to donate to the outreach.

LIFT-UP’s Extended Table’s main aim is to feed the people who can’t afford to buy food. We are dedicated to preventing hunger for destitute people in our valley. Extended Table is run entirely by LIFT-UP’s volunteers and serves more than 6,000 people a year. This vital community program is funded through donations from individuals, businesses, local churches, and other non-profit organizations. LIFT-UP runs two extended table programs in Glenwood and Rifle.

• Meal Monkey Lunch:

Kids 18 and under can receive a healthy sack lunch in four locations in Rifle, one location in Silt and one location in New Castle on Friday's.

Background Statement

LIFT-UP began meeting needs in the area in 1982; caring individuals, churches and businesses came together to pool resources to help local families in need. At the time, the region was experiencing rapid growth as thousands flocked to the area to find work in the oil shale industry. But not everyone found jobs or places to live, some even ended up sleeping in their cars and under bridges, without money to buy food. The Life Inter-Faith Team on Unemployment & Poverty (LIFT-UP) was formed, and the community directed food and other resources through this cooperative channel. When the oil shale industry collapsed in May of 1982, thousands found themselves unemployed overnight. LIFT-UP started providing assistance to the large number of people who suddenly found themselves in need of help. Rifle was our first location; over the year's locations were opened in Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, New Castle, Parachute, Aspen and Basalt. These seven locations allow LIFT-UP to serve those in need in all of Garfield County and part of Pitkin and Eagle counties. LIFT-UP made a change to our food assistance program due to the number of families and individuals needing help past the allowed number of times this program could be accessed. Prior to COVID-19, families and individuals could access our food pantries once a month instead of the six times a year. In November of 2015 LIFT-UP added a Mobile Lunch Program called Meal Monkey for kids 18 and under. We distribute sack lunches on Fridays to targeted areas of lower income kids going to Garfield RE 2 schools go four days a week.

In 1995 LIFT-UP launched the Extended Table Soup Kitchen in partnership with the First United Methodist Church in Glenwood Springs. The Extended Table, which we have renamed to Extended Table Community Dinner, served a hot nutritious meal Monday through Friday from 5 to 6pm. In October of 2012 LIFT-UP launched another Extended Table with the United Presbyterian Methodist Church in Rifle. This location serves on Tuesday and Thursdays evenings from 5 to 6pm. The Extended Tables served 19,395 meals in 2015, which is another record high for LIFT-UP. Since the start of COVID-19 meals have been distributed as grab-n-go meals.

LIFT-UP soon recognized a need for sustainability, so in 1994 they opened a thrift store in Rifle and in 1996 one in Parachute was opened. The thrift stores have two purposes ones is to generate revenue for the organization and the other is allowing LIFT-UP the ability to give clothing and household items to families and individuals in need.

From the start of the COVID pandemic, the Parachute Thrift Store was transformed to be used as a warehouse and food bag packing facility. The Rifle Thrift Store continues to operate as a thrift store.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

LIFT-UP

other names

LIFT-UP, Life Inter-Faith Team on Unemployment & Poverty

Year Established

1982

Tax id (EIN)

84-0896081

LIFT-UP

Testimonials

Mission

Background Statement

Organization Data

Summary

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