Background Statement
In 1982, Pueblo Cooperative Care Center was established to provide emergency services to less fortunate individuals in the Pueblo community. The Center was founded as and remains a faith-based emergency crisis center. It was established by five local churches and Colorado Fuel & Iron Corporation (CF&I) as an emergency food assistance program to address the needs of over 800 families (2,000 individuals) who were devastated by a loss of employment. CF&I, now known as EVRAZ Rocky Mountain Steel reduced their workforce by up to 1,000 employees weekly. These individuals relied heavily on CF&I for employment and stability as did the Pueblo community. In addition, Colorado's statewide recession was challenging to Pueblo as the cities lifeblood was manufacturing. Pueblo endured eight consecutive years of double digit unemployment and the community population dropped by nearly 10%. Pueblo survived and so did Pueblo Cooperative Care Center which now has support from over 60 churches of multiple denominations, businesses, corporations, foundations, government, civic organizations and individuals.
Pueblo Cooperative Care Center is known as the central hub for individuals in crisis and is now the largest emergency food resource in southern Colorado. Direct services have expanded to include food, clothing, medical prescription assistance, personal hygiene essentials (basic needs), homeless showers, emergency transportation, voucher programs and a "Nutrition On Wheels" (NOW) food delivery program for home bound seniors ages 60 and older.