Holiday helpings for Glenwood Springs' LIFT-UP

"Regardless of a person's political views or religious views," said Doug Straw, "people are generally in agreement that people should have enough to eat."

In his eyes, it's this basic human right that has kept the efforts of the Life Interfaith Team on Unemployment and Poverty (LIFT-UP) going for the last 25 years.

A member of the nonprofit group since the 1990s, Straw is now its marketing and public relations director. While the organization helps those in need all year, during the holiday season it is especially visible. Last year, volunteers used donated food to create more than 2,000 holiday meal baskets for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

LIFT-UP was born in 1982 when a group of concerned citizens met at a church in Rifle to discuss the problems they saw in the community. They felt that essential human needs, such as food and shelter, were lacking. The group vowed to combat these problems and decided to continue every year until they were no longer needed. A quarter of a century later, the organization is still going strong. Last year alone, it helped more than 30,000 people from Parachute to Carbondale and distributed nearly 9,000 bags of food.

Straw was quick to give credit where he felt credit was due - to everyone who gave of their time, money or food.

"When LIFT-UP accomplishes a lot, it's just that the community gave a lot," he said. "It's not so much about LIFT-UP as it is about the community."

Though people may donate food to the organization at any time, those wanting to contribute to the holiday baskets may bring food a week or so before Thanksgiving or Christmas. The nonperishable food items may be dropped off at one of LIFT-UP's five offices: in Glenwood Springs, 1004 Grand Ave.; in Carbondale, 385 S. Second St.; in New Castle, 126 N. Fourth St.; in Rifle, 800 Railroad Ave.; and in Parachute, 112 N. Fisher Ave. For more information, including times, call 945-2005 or visit www.liftup.org.



Contact Stina Sieg: 384-9111

ssieg@postindependent.com



Post Independent Glenwood Springs CO Colorado

Food for the cause drop-off locations • Glenwood Springs, 1004 Grand Ave.; • Carbondale, 385 S. Second St. • New Castle, 126 N. Fourth St. • Rifle, 800 Railroad Ave. • Parachute, 112 N. Fisher Ave. • Information: 945-2005; www.liftup.org