CANNED MEATS AND PEANUT BUTTER IN SHORT SUPPLY FOR THOSE NEEDING FOOD ASSISTANCE IN METRO DENVER
Denver, CO -- The Salvation Army of metro Denver needs the assistance of the community to help provide canned food protein items that are used in the food boxes for families in need. Protein items are combined with other non-perishable foods to provide breakfast, lunch and dinner meals for adults and children.
Canned protein will come in the form of canned meats and fish, such as tuna and canned salmon, canned chicken, canned stew, canned chili with meat and pasta sauces with meat. Peanut butter is the other great source of protein that is needed for the food boxes.
“The Salvation Army provided more than 4,500 boxes of food for families during the holidays,” says Captain Ron McKinney, Metro Denver City Coordinator for The Salvation Army. “But hunger knows not season. We currently have enough protein items for food boxes to last the next 30-45 days.”
Protein is vital to a balanced diet and proper health. Our bodies use protein to build and repair tissues and to make enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Protein is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood and is especially critical for children.
During the food drives with King Soopers, Safeway and local corporations, food was collected, sorted and distributed to fill that need at Christmas. Canned food items such as fruit and vegetables were in abundant supply but the protein items are now running very short.
Along with fat and carbohydrates, protein is a "macronutrient," meaning that the body needs relatively large amounts of it. Vitamins and minerals, which are needed in only small quantities, are called "micronutrients." But unlike fat and carbohydrates, the body does not store protein, and therefore has no reservoir to draw on when it needs a new supply.
Those wishing to help can bring jars of peanut butter, canned tuna or salmon, canned meat, canned stew, canned chili with meat and pasta sauces with meat or other canned protein items to The Salvation Army warehouse, 1901 29th Street , in Denver between the hours of 9am-4pm. The food will be used in food boxes distributed through six Salvation Army Community Centers and Corps in Denver .
Each box of non-perishable food consists of protein, vegetables, fruit, cereal, grains, beans, and dairy products. Snack foods are also included in the boxes.
About The Salvation Army
Nearly 36 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year. The Salvation Army has been meeting people’s needs in Denver since 1887. For more than a century, the helpless, hopeless and needy have relied on The Salvation Army for food, clothing, shelter, encouragement, comfort and prayer. In addition to these traditional services, our programs offer education, childcare, elder care, gang intervention, athletics, character building, alcohol and substance abuse rehabilitation as well as response to emergencies and natural disasters for the benefit of the children, families and communities of the Rocky Mountains.
