3rd Annual Gobble for Good

As the leaves turn golden and the air fills with a crisp chill, we are once again reminded of the warmth that comes from gathering around a table filled with love, laughter, and delicious food. For many families in our community, however, the joy of a Thanksgiving meal remains out of reach.

Across Eagle County, more families are struggling to put food on the table than ever before. Every month, 818 households—representing 1,402 individuals—rely on SNAP benefits, totaling roughly $283,000 in food assistance. If benefits are delayed or reduced beyond October, those families will turn to The Community Market for help.

We’ve seen this before. When COVID-era emergency SNAP allotments ended in February 2023, market visits surged by 28% in the following months. Now, as the federal shutdown continues, we’re preparing for another sharp increase in need. The Community Market is already serving more than 4,000 people every week—a record level of demand that continues to rise as families lose critical federal support.

The holidays, while filled with celebration for many, can deepen the stress and isolation for those facing food insecurity. The pressure to provide a special meal—when everyday groceries are already out of reach—can make this season one of the hardest times of the year for our neighbors in need.

That’s why, in partnership with The Salvation Army, we are continuing our Gobble for Good campaign—a heartfelt initiative to ensure no family goes without Thanksgiving and Holiday meals. Our goal: to provide nourishing dinners to 600 families this Thanksgiving, and 1,200 families between Thanksgiving and Christmas. With your support, we can make it happen.

More than a meal, this campaign offers relief from stress, nourishment for growing children, dignity for parents, and connection for isolated seniors. A holiday meal is often the first step in linking families with long-term community support—opening the door to health, stability, and hope throughout the year.

🦃 How You Can Help

🍂 Donate Generously – Every dollar counts! Your donation helps bring the joy of Thanksgiving and holiday meals to a family’s table. Plus, Black Hills Energy is matching the first $5,000 donated to the campaign.

🍂 Sponsor a Family – With a $64 sponsorship, you can provide both a Thanksgiving and Christmas meal for a family in need. Your gift offers more than food—it provides comfort, joy, and dignity all season long.

🧺 What Your Sponsorship Provides

Each family receives:

• A $20 City Market gift certificate for each holiday, empowering them to purchase the protein of their choosing—whether turkey, chicken, or another family favorite.

• A generous selection of holiday staples, including stuffing, green beans, celery, cornbread mix, potatoes, onions, apples, and more—all thoughtfully packed to create a nourishing, traditional holiday meal.

Your support ensures that families across Eagle County can gather around the table with gratitude—sharing not just food, but the feeling of belonging and community.

🍂 Spread the Word – Share our Gobble for Good campaign with friends, family, and colleagues. The more people who know, the more families we can reach!

🍂 Volunteer Your Time – Give the gift of your presence. Volunteer opportunities are a hands-on way to make a direct impact—whether you’re unloading boxes, assembling meal bags, or helping deliver food to families.

🙌 Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

🚛 Truck Unload – (Sign up link to come)

🥕 Bag Assembly – (Sign Up Link)

🚗 Delivery Assistance – Help deliver food bags to local neighborhoods on Saturday, November 20 from 8–10 AM, ensuring every family receives their meal with care and dignity. (Avon Link) (Gypsum Link)

💛 Future Volunteer Days Coming Soon – Additional opportunities will be announced in early December as we prepare for our holiday meal distributions and toy drive. Stay tuned for ways to help spread even more warmth this season!

This Thanksgiving, as families across our valley gather in gratitude, hundreds of our neighbors will turn to The Community Market and The Salvation Army for help. Together, we can ensure that no one has to choose between paying a bill and sharing a holiday meal.

Let’s come together not just to fill plates, but to fill hearts with gratitude, dignity, and hope.

$32 provides one meal for a family, and $64 sponsors a family for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Together with our partners at The Salvation Army, we’ll serve over 1,200 families between Thanksgiving and Christmas.