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“Feeding Colorado distributes food to people facing hunger through direct service programs like mobile pantries, food boxes for adults 60+ and backpacks for kids, and in partnership with hundreds of carefully selected local nonprofit food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters and community centers.

Donors are protected by State (12-21-113, Colorado Revised Statutes, 1987) and Federal (PL 104-210, 1996) Good Samaritan Acts. “Your donations will be safely transported, stored and distributed. Each Feeding Colorado food bank is equipped with refrigerated trucks, commercial refrigerators and freezers and temperature controlled warehouse space. The highest food safety standards are adhered to throughout the distribution process. All items are carefully sorted and if necessary, cleaned prior to distribution to our partner agencies. Partner agencies are also trained in safe food handling.

Donors are protects by State (12-21-113, Colorado Revised Statutes, 1987) and Federal (PL 104-210, 1996) Good Samaritan Acts. When donors give food to nonprofit organizations to distribute to needy individuals, they are protected from civil and criminal liability, should the product, donated in good faith, later cause harm to the recipient. These laws standardize donor liability exposure and set a liability floor of ‘gross negligence’ or intentional misconduct for persons who donate grocery products.

According to the federal law, gross negligence is defined as “voluntary and conscious conduct by a person with knowledge (at the time of conduct) that the conduct is likely to be harmful to the health or well-being of another person.” In addition, Congress recognized the provision that food close to the date of recommended retail sale is, in and of itself, not grounds for finding gross negligence.

In 1989, the Colorado Legislature passed an amendment to the Good Samaritan Act, saying food donors will not be subject to criminal penalty or civil damage resulting from the condition of the food, unless injury is caused by “willful, wanton or reckless acts” by the donor. This includes canned or perishable food not readily marketable due to appearances, freshness, grade, surplus, or other considerations.

Federal tax laws provide most donors with tax benefits for the contribution of food to Feeding Colorado Food Banks. Consult your accountant or tax advisor in order to determine the exact charitable contribution to which your organization may be entitled. Farmers, ranchers and those filing a Schedule F may be eligible for a tax credit.

HB 14-1119, The Charitable Crop Donation Act, remains in effect through December 31, 2019. Check with your tax advisor or talk to your local food bank to learn more or get a receipt for your donation.

Feeding Colorado Food Banks can accept fresh, frozen and non-perishable food items such as meat, dairy, eggs, vegetables, fruit, condiments and spices, beans, grains, prepared foods and more. Items can be close-dated or, if perishable, frozen on or before the sell-by date.

We can also accept safely stored and packaged prepared entrees, side dishes and desserts never served to patrons.

We can accept wild game processed, packed and inspected at a USDA approved facility.

Please contact the Feeding Colorado Food Bank nearest to you to get specific questions answered, schedule a donation or take a tour of the food bank’s facility. Click here to see our distribution map.