The GrowHaus’ Response to COVID-19
The GrowHaus launched a Rapid Response emergency food distribution program in response to COVID-19. The program aims to ensure our community is receiving food and has the necessary information and resources to support themselves during the COVID-19 crisis.
At the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, our team launched a rapid response no-cost food delivery program. This program grew out of the overwhelming response from our community that revealed an increase in food insecurity due to COVID-19. After a community needs assessment in March, we found that 76% of households reported a decrease in their income, and 86% were worried about their ability to feed their families if the crisis were to last another month
This program aims to ensure our community is receiving food and has the necessary information and resources to support themselves during the COVID-19 crisis.
Each delivery includes one package of dry bulk food (ie. rice, beans, flour, and tortillas) and one package of fresh produce (rescued by Denver Food Rescue and We Don’t Waste) that are intended to provide a family of four with a significant portion of their weekly food needs. We partner with Bondadosa to deliver the food directly to families’ front doors. In addition to food, participants receive a resource list, outlining additional avenues to access healthy food, including breakfast and lunch provisions at local schools and recreation centers.
Our most recent survey in June revealed that over 50% of respondents would be worried about accessing food if The GrowHaus stopped our food distribution program.
Since the onset of COVID-19 in mid-March, The GrowHaus has distributed over 25,000 free emergency food packages, reaching 550 families. This is the equivalent to distributing 630,000 meals.
