Donations came from here, there and everywhere after the alert went out about a potential crisis in Teller County. On top of inflation and cuts to nonprofit organizations, many are finding that salaries and incomes fail to meet the needs, food, shelter and transportation, for instance.

But the food drive at Walmart May 9 was a collective effort of the Teller County Fire Chiefs Association, all Teller County fire departments; the sheriff’s office and the locals.

At the end of the day, donors contributed 1,536 items with an estimated value of $5,626.  “A big shout out to Kaitlyn Ragsdale, and SSR Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mining Co., who stopped by with a large donation,” said Jamie Krall, development manager for Community Partnership Family Resource Center.

The resource center, CP, was one of three food banks, in addition to Little Chapel and the Aspen Mine Center, to receive donations for their clients that day.

Each reported an increase in the number of recipients who reached out for help.

With so many representatives of the three food banks pitching in, along with multiple shoppers/donors, the day had a festive tone and a special guest.

“Piper Mijares, CP’s therapy dog and retired mayor of Divide, was also on site to oversee the unloading of donations at CP,” Krall said.

Joe O’Conor, chair of the chiefs association and chief of the Cripple Creek Fire Department, organized the drive.