How you can help Colorado's farmworkers
DENVER — Not long after "Colorado Voices: Farmworkers" aired on Rocky Mountain PBS, many people reached out to us, asking how they could help workers like the people profiled in our program.
The show highlighted many of the challenges that the thousands of farmworkers in Colorado face on a daily basis, from foundational problems like workplace safety and access to housing and food, to more recent struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic. You can watch the full program below.
We asked the people featured in the stories what would be the best way for viewers to get involved. Below is the list of some of the action items if you wish to donate your time or money.
Donate winter clothes
Despite record heat this month, the cold Colorado winter months are right around the corner. Project Protect Food Systems Promotora Dolores Del Campo is collecting winter clothes in all sizes, including children’s clothes, for Colorado farmworkers.
You can send donations to 5885 Allison St., #1867, Arvada, CO 80004.
Donate food
As we reported in "Colorado Voices: Farmworkers," many of the Coloradans who work to bring food to our tables can't afford to buy it themselves.
“Why is it that we have this contradiction: That the people who grow our food can’t afford the food that is in our communities?” said Roberto Meza, founder of East Denver Food Hub, an organization working to develop an equitable local food system.
“They’re the ones who sweat for these crops and they can’t enjoy them themselves,” Promotora Marcela Natividad explained.
Del Campo also told Rocky Mountain PBS their organization is in need of foods like rice, sugar, flour, maseca corn flour, coffee and beans, as well as water.
To coordinate a food drop-off, email hunter@projectprotectfoodsystems.org.
You can also donate to Project Protect Food Systems directly at this link.
Volunteer with Frontline Farming
Frontline Farming is a farmer advocacy and food justice organization on the Front Range.
By supporting women and people of color, the organization aims to create greater equity in the region’s food system. On top of three different farm sites, which produce high density and high nutrition foods for the community, the organization hosts education opportunities and pushes policy initiatives.
[Related: Frontline Farming: Stories of liberation]
Frontline Farming relies on the helping hands of volunteers to increase production. All of their farmers work directly with groups of young children, high school and university students, corporate groups, volunteer organizations, and countless individuals.
Click here for more information.