Denver - Thousands of Coloradans reached into wallets and cupboards Saturday to make the 9Cares Colorado Shares 2010 Summer Drive a huge success for families in need. All 17 sites combined collected 81,449 pounds of food, up nearly 10,000 pounds from last year. 9Cares volunteers collected $12,940, money that will go to buy food and restock depleted shelves at nearly 140 local food banks.
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SITES
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Food Collected (pounds)
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Money Collected
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9NEWS
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21,228
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$ 3,600
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Brighton
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3,409
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Castle Rock
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3,857
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$ 1,959
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Conifer
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3,000
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$ 450
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Elizabeth
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2,300
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$ 910
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Larimer County
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6,000
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Longmont
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3,866
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$ 560
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Parker
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30,800
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$ 3,316
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Weld County
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6,989
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$ 2,145
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TOTALS
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81,449
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$12,940
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In addition to Saturday's collection totals, 9Cares Colorado Shares used $125,000 in viewer contributions collected in last fall's 9Cares Colorado Shares drive to purchase even more food for local food banks.
Many of the organizations in the 9Cares Food Bank Network have reported higher than average requests for help this year. Called by food banks "the hungriest time of year," summer is traditionally a tougher time for needy families because children that typically depend on federal free and reduced cost lunch programs at school are on summer break. Food banks, however, believe there is even more demand for assistance this year because of the struggling economy and high unemployment in Colorado.
On Saturday, a line of cars streamed into the 9NEWS Studios parking lot in Denver while generous viewers dropped off trunks full of food and clothing at the 16 other locations in 11 cities from Ft. Collins to Castle Rock.
9NEWS President and General Manager Mark Cornetta said, "Every year we are reminded of the great community that we live in. When you see the outpouring of support from our viewers who come to help those in need, it is truly inspiring to see these heroes among us."
All of the food will be distributed to local food banks in the areas from which it was collected. For a list of food banks go to 9NEWS.com and look for the 9Cares Colorado Shares button on the Community page.
(KUSA-TV © 2010 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)