Food Bank of the Rockies Announces New Distribution Center to Build a Hunger-Free Future

New facility in Aurora built for long-term growth, scaling operations as community needs increase

AURORA, Colo., July 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As the cost of living climbs, federal support programs are reduced, and more families face difficult choices between purchasing food and other essentials, Food Bank of the Rockies is stepping up with a transformative new building and bold vision for the future. This winter, the organization will open a new 270,000-square-foot, purpose-built distribution center to meet the urgent and growing needs of neighbors across Colorado and Wyoming — and is calling on the community to help get the capital campaign to the finish line by fueling this critical expansion.

"After 19 years in a space we outgrew long ago, we're thrilled to open a new hub designed to support our mission of nourishing people facing hunger with better food, stronger partnerships, and greater efficiency," said Erin Pulling, president and CEO of Food Bank of the Rockies. "This isn't just a building — it's a foundation for reaching more neighbors with fresh, nutritious, familiar food, and for building a future where no one has to wonder where their next meal will come from."

The new facility will:

• Double cold storage for fresh and frozen items
• Triple volunteer capacity
• Quadruple kitchen space
• Scale up to producing four times as many kids' meals and gradually offer up to 50% more fresh produce
• Increase food storage capacity by 67%
• Enable distribution of up to 300% more culturally responsive food
• Reduce operating costs by more than $500,000 annually by consolidating Denver-area operations under one roof and investing in sustainability

These advancements will allow Food Bank of the Rockies to scale up distribution to 100 million pounds of food annually within a few years, increase access to nutritious meals, and expand its workforce development program.

"We're not just delivering food — we're delivering on our mission to prioritize the preferences and needs of our community with dignity and respect," Pulling explained.

The new facility also strengthens Food Bank of the Rockies' partnerships with hundreds of Hunger Relief Partners and local organizations working together to serve the 1 in 8 people — including 1 in 7 children — living with food insecurity across Colorado and Wyoming.

"We're proud to see this bold vision of Food Bank of the Rockies become a reality. This expanded capacity will help serve community members for decades to come," said Brie Dilley, executive director of SECOR Cares. "As a food pantry partner, we witness the growing need every day. More and more people are forced to choose between paying rent and putting food on the table. This investment is a step toward a future where they won't have to make that difficult decision."

The capital campaign supporting this project is 85% funded, with just 15% left to raise, thanks to the generosity of many individuals, corporations, and foundations, as well as the following New Markets Tax Credit investors and in-kind donors:

New Markets Tax Credit Investors:

• Capital One
• Colorado Housing and Finance Authority
• Colorado Enterprise Fund
• North Sky Capital
• Rural Development Partners

In-kind Donors:

• 9NEWS
• Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP
• CAA Icon
• CBRE
• Commerce Construction
• FirstBank
• Installnet
• Majestic Realty
• Yardi

Capital Campaign Committee Chair Cal Fulenwider and the Fulenwider Family Foundation are generously providing a $500,000 matching gift to inspire the community to rally behind this important project.

"This new, purpose-built distribution center not only increases the Food Bank's operational capacity while growing their efficiency exponentially, it gives this truly incredible organization the ability to nourish more children and families well into the future," said Cal Fulenwider, a lead supporter and capital campaign committee chair. "My family and I are proud to stand with Food Bank of the Rockies in building a better future — one nutritious meal at a time."

Food Bank of the Rockies is calling on continued community support to help bring the campaign across the finish line and make this vision for our communities a reality. Community members can help Food Bank of the Rockies build a hunger-free future by making a gift to the capital campaign here: foodbankrockies.org/fulfilled

For more information about the capital campaign and access to B-roll, photos, and more, visit https://foodbankrockies.canto.com/b/NO4SV

About Food Bank of the Rockies
Food Bank of the Rockies is the largest hunger-relief organization in the Rocky Mountain region, serving all 23 counties in Wyoming and 32 counties in Colorado, plus a portion of Gunnison County. Since 1978, we've put the power of community to work for our neighbors in need. Through partnerships. Through programs. Through people. Through you. Everything we do is fueled by the support of our community and donors, and 96 cents of every dollar goes directly to distribution. With support from our community and hundreds of Hunger Relief Partners, we distribute enough food daily for over 185,000 meals. For more information: foodbankrockies.org.

Joanna Wise
Food Bank of the Rockies
719-985-7724
jwise@foodbankrockies.org

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SOURCE Food Bank of the Rockies