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Last year, in the United States looked to food banks and food pantries for support, according to a 2023 report from Feeding America. The end of COVID-era government assistance programs and the rising cost of groceries due to inflation have many Americans facing food insecurity.

According to a 2023 Department of Agriculture report, 12.8% of households around the country—about 17 million—were . That's up from the 10.2% of households who had difficulty providing food for everyone in their home in 2021, and also up from the 10.5% who said the same in 2020. It's the highest share of food-insecure households in the U.S. since 2014.

The rise of food insecurity and the economic situation in the U.S. means that food banks are struggling to keep up with the demand. "Local food banks, pantries, and community meal programs have become an essential component of many households' food budgets, especially as we continue to face increased food prices and the end of pandemic-era benefits," Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, accompanying the nonprofit's aforementioned report. In an earlier 2023 survey from Feeding America, 65% of responding food banks reported an .

It can be difficult to know where to go if you want to help, as many do during the holiday season in particular. To help guide you, compiled a list of food bank volunteer opportunities near Boulder using data from . Read on to see what you can do for those grappling with food insecurity in your community, from distributing lunches to seniors to serving meals at soup kitchens.

Feed Those In Need - Food Pantry Assistant
- Organization: HARVEST OF HOPE PANTRY
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Boulder Area Meal Delivery Driver
- Organization: Project Angel Heart
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Morning Packer/Stocker
- Organization: Emergency Family Assistance Association
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Shop for Broomfield Seniors!
- Organization: Cultivate
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Lakeshore Cafe; Dining Room Volunteer
- Organization: City and County of Broomfield
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Dishwasher
- Organization: COLORADO FRIENDSHIP
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BELL RINGERS NEEDED! The Salvation Army Longmont CO
- Organization: The Salvation Army - Longmont Extension Unit
- Dates: Nov 11 to Dec 24
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Volunteer at a food pantry near you!
- Organization: City of Westminster
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Donation Support
- Organization: Denver Public Schools - Volunteer Services
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Regional Director-Denver Fort Collins Boulder and Colorado
- Organization: CitiIMPACT
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Advocate
- Organization: The Borgen Project
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Student Opportunity--Help Fight Hunger Around America's Breakfast Tables
- Organization: CEREAL4ALL INC
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Pack the Pantry: Fighting Food Insecurity with Hope Communities
- Organization: HOPE COMMUNITIES INC
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IVC seeks Active Seniors in the Denver Area
- Organization: Ignatian Volunteer Corps
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Food Box Assembly
- Organization: BENEFITS IN ACTION
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Rescue & Redistribute produce to our communities in Denver
- Organization: Denver Food Rescue
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Prepare and Serve Dinner for Kids in Need at Denver Children's Home!
- Organization: Project Helping
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Support Your Community! Become a Hunger Fighter
- Organization: Metro Caring
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This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 101 metros.