Congressman Crow Delivers Over $2 million in CO-06 Community Project Funding

DENVER & ENGLEWOOD — Today, Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06) presented the Food Bank of the Rockies with $650,000 for their Food Vehicles Project to support hunger relief efforts and the Tri-Cities Ready to Work Program with $1.5 million to provide stable housing and career support for unhoused Coloradans. These are two of the 15 community projects Congressman Crow secured funding for through the Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations process to directly benefit Colorado’s 6th Congressional District.

“From hunger relief to housing, this funding will uplift our neighbors and support a healthy and thriving Colorado for our families,” said Congressman Crow. “I’m grateful to secure funding in partnership with Food Bank of the Rockies and the Tri-Cities Ready to Work program that will expand lifeline services for our most vulnerable – delivering hunger relief to those in need and connecting more Coloradans to stable housing and high-quality jobs.” 

The Food Bank of the Rockies Food Vehicles Project

The funding Crow requested and secured will help Food Bank of the Rockies purchase two refrigerated trailers and two day cabs used for: 

• Delivering food to nonprofit partner agencies, 
• Two box trucks used for picking up food for retail and grocery rescue, and
• A sprinter van used for home delivery to people in need like seniors or people with disabilities, as well as distributing food for children’s programs. 

These trucks will enable the Food Bank of the Rockies to move commodity foods and continue high-capacity operation of federal nutrition programs such as the Summer Food Service Program and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. 

At the Food Bank of the Rockies Distribution Center, Crow was joined by executive leadership, employees, and volunteers of Colorado’s largest hunger relief nonprofit, serving 30 counties in our state. 

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Rep. Crow with Food Bank of the Rockies staff members and volunteers.

Photo courtesy of Food Bank of the Rockies

“We are so thankful to receive this Congressional funding for five new trucks, all of which will help us provide much-needed, nourishing food to our network of 800-plus Hunger Relief Partners and bolster programs like food rescue, summer kids’ meals, and home delivery of food to older adults. Food Bank of the Rockies is Colorado’s largest nonprofit hunger-relief organization and serves part or all of seven out of our state’s eight Congressional Districts, including all of the 6th District. Through our dedicated partners and generous support from volunteers, donors, and funding such as this, we can ensure that any Coloradan experiencing hunger has access to the familiar, fresh, and nutritious food they need at absolutely no cost to them,” said Erin Pulling, President & CEO, Food Bank of the Rockies. 

The Tri-Cities Ready to Work Program

In partnership with the City of Littleton and the Tri-Cities initiative, which includes local governments of Littleton, Sheridan, and Englewood, Crow advocated for and secured funding to collaborate on a regional solution to homelessness by standing up a new Bridge House Ready to Work facility and program in the Tri-Cities. 

The Bridge House Ready to Work program is a proven, data driven transitional employment program designed to house adults experiencing homelessness through social services, guidance and workforce training. The $1.5 million investment made with CO-06 community project funding will go towards renovations, furnishings, and capital equipment for the facility housing the program.  

At the future site of the Tri-Cities Ready to Work Program, Crow was joined by local officials from the cities of Littleton, Englewood, Sheridan, and Arapahoe County, and leadership from Bridge House Ready to Work.  

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Rep. Crow with Sheridan Mayor Tara Beiter-Fluhr, Englewood Mayor Othoniel Sierra, Bridge House Ready to Work CEO Melissa Green, Arapahoe County Commissioner for District 4 Leslie Summey, and Littleton Mayor Kyle Schlachter.

Photo courtesy of the Office of Congressman Jason Crow

“We appreciate the Congressman’s recognition and support of the work of the Tri Cities. The unique partnership between our city councils to pursue data-based solutions to help end the cycles of poverty, addiction, and homelessness is already seeing results. This funding for Ready to Work will help countless people graduate to obtain mainstream jobs and acquire permanent housing,” said Littleton Mayor Kyle Schlachter. 

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Rep. Crow with Centennial Council Member for District 4 Marlo Alston, Bridge House Ready to Work CEO Melissa Green, and Bridge House team members.

Photo courtesy of Bridge House

"We are excited to bring our Ready to Work program to the Tri-cities areas and we're grateful for the collaboration that is taking place. This funding is vital for creating our next Ready to Work house, which provides shelter, paid employment and support services to adults experiencing homelessness in Arapahoe County,” said Melissa Green, CEO, Bridge House.