When school starts, the Good Samaritan Center in Cortez experiences an influx of people needing assistance.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of families have spent their money on school supplies,\u201d said Cindy Irvin, executive director of the Good Samaritan Center. \u201cNow they don\u2019t have money for food.\u201d<\/p>\n
Located at 25 S. Beech next to the Post Office, the local food bank provides free food to people with a valid photo identification. More than 150 families visit the center every month.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur biggest need right now is cereal and peanut butter,\u201d Irvin said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe economic downturn has been really bad,\u201d she continued. \u201cWe\u2019ve had so many in need that we had to limit people coming in to once every 60 days.\u201d<\/p>\n
To help stock the shelves, Great Lakes Aviation has partnered with the center for the past several years to host a food drive. Their 5th Annual \u201cFlyin\u2019 4 Food\u201d campaign is currently underway.<\/p>\n
In honor of Hunger Action Month, the airline will collect any non-perishable food at its counter inside the Cortez Municipal Airport throughout September. To encourage donations, the airline will give away four round-trip tickets between Cortez and Denver.<\/p>\n
To enter for a chance to win the free airline tickets, simply drop off food donations at the airport. People can donate as much food as they like; however, only one entry per person, per week is permitted. Donations are accepted at the airport Monday through Friday between 5 a.m. and 1 p.m, and between 3 and 4 p.m.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Great Lakes food drive is a real benefit,\u201d said Irvin, who is in her 32nd year of service at the food bank. \u201cThey are so good to us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Approximately one of every 20 American households struggle putting food on the table. To help ease local shortages, the Good Samaritan Center distributes about $15,000 of food every month.<\/p>\n