Grand Junction, CO – Starting February 25, ARC Thrift Stores will expand its beloved Feed Colorado food drive across every corner of the state for the first time in 25 years, teaming up with Safeway and BOK Financial to deliver more than 100,000 meals to families, seniors, and veterans struggling with hunger.
The ambitious 2026 goal: collect 65 tons of food while raising new cash donations and awareness in every community from the Eastern Plains to the Western Slope.
Why the Expansion Hits Home Right Now
More than 700,000 Coloradans don’t know where their next meal is coming from. That number includes one in nine children and thousands of veterans.
In Mesa County alone, one in seven residents faces food insecurity.
“People think hunger doesn’t happen here in Colorado, but it’s in every zip code,” said Maggie Scivicque, ARC Thrift Stores vice president of marketing. “We’ve run Feed Colorado for a quarter century, but demand has never been higher. Going statewide means no one gets left behind.”
How the Partnership Makes the Difference
The powerhouse trio brings unique strengths to the table:
- Safeway and Albertsons stores across Colorado will host bright red Feed Colorado barrels at every location starting late February.
- BOK Financial is providing matching grants and employee volunteer teams in multiple cities.
- ARC Thrift Stores will turn every one of its 34 locations into official drop-off points and awareness hubs.
Every donated can, box, or bag stays in Colorado and goes straight to Volunteers of America programs including City Harvest Food Bank, Meals on Wheels, and seven veteran-specific food pantries.
Real Impact You Can See on the Western Slope
Grand Junction shoppers will notice something new this year: donations collected locally will now directly support Veterans of America services right here at home.
“Last year we helped over 1,200 veterans in Mesa County with food boxes,” said Dave Smith, Volunteers of America Western Slope director. “With ARC and Safeway going bigger, we can reach hundreds more who are too proud to ask for help.”
What Shoppers Can Do Starting This Month
The most-needed items are simple and stay on shelves longest:
- Peanut butter
- Canned tuna or chicken
- Hearty soups and chili
- Pasta and sauce
- Boxed or bagged beans and rice
- Cereal and oatmeal
Cash donations stretch even further. Every dollar given through ARC Thrift or Safeway turns into nearly four meals because of bulk purchasing power.
You can drop off food at any ARC Thrift Store or Safeway location starting February 25. Many stores will also have volunteers on weekends to cheer you on and help carry heavy bags.
A Movement Bigger Than One Organization
Social media is already lighting up with #FeedColorado2026 posts from employees at all three partners. Safeway district managers in Fort Collins and Colorado Springs shared videos stocking the first barrels, while BOK Financial branches in Denver and Grand Junction announced matching days.
One viral tweet from an ARC store manager in Pueblo summed it up: “25 years of feeding Colorado, and now we’re finally reaching every mountain, plain, and neighborhood. Let’s do this.”
Colorado has always shown up for its own. This year, three homegrown partners are making it easier than ever to turn a simple grocery run into real help for a neighbor who’s having a tough month.
Every can counts. Every dollar counts. And every share of #FeedColorado2026 helps remind someone they’re not alone.
What’s one item you’ll grab next time you’re at Safeway or ARC? Drop it in the comments and tag a friend who needs to see this. Together we’ll hit 65 tons and prove Colorado still takes care of its own.
