It’s been a year of recovery for many Pueblo families left reeling by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic downturn.  

One local angel who knows what it’s like to struggle, has been keeping those in need well fed. She can be found at every food distribution hosted by Rocky Mountain Service Employment and Redevelopment. 

Brandi Adakai, community director for Rocky Mountain SER, has led the agency’s Southern Colorado regional effort to get food in the bellies of the hungry. Since the agency’s first mind-blowing 20,000-pound food distribution on Jan. 13, which served more than 350 families, the agency has hosted twice-monthly mobile food distributions. 

Those mobile events have distributed “probably 400,000 pounds of food” this year thanks to the assistance of Care and Share and the Pueblo Food Project, she said. 

“We try to make a collaborative effort always, because you do more when we are working together than what you would siloed,” Adakai said. “We try to always work together as a community coalition.” 

To further meet the need of those who go hungry, the agency opened a permanent food pantry in Pueblo Oct. 25. Located at 330 Lake Ave., that pantry is open three days a week.  

“Within the first month of being open at our food pantry in Pueblo we’ve already served over 60,000 pounds of food,” Adakai said. 

As if that wasn’t enough Adakai and staff load up 50 bags of food, make the trek to the Arkansas River “bottoms” and hand out the lunch sacks to the homeless every week. The lunch sack program really is a nickname as each bag is loaded with 20 pounds of food and is enough to make seven meals. 

“When you meet people where they are at, they are very receptive. If they see you genuinely want to help they feel it,” she said. 

“The need is definitely there, especially folks who are not able to get jobs, resources and benefits. You can always see rises and drops in the need depending on the resources given around town.

“A good majority of our clients are seniors. They are taking care of their grandkids or kids." 

Adakai is fueled to help by what she describes as a calling. She was born and raised in Pueblo, growing up right around the corner from the agency’s pantry. 

“This Mesa Junction and Bessemer area has been home to me my entire life. I just love giving back,” she explained. 

“There have been times in my past where I have made wrong choices and this is kind of a way to give back and try to help other people who have been through similar struggles as myself. We help one another, keep all judgements aside and it is through those lived experiences that you are able to give back with an open heart,” Adakai said. 

“When I see somebody struggling, I know how that feels and sometimes you just wish someone could lend a hand to you. We all go through different struggles – just give out a compliment or help someone out." 

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She said it is "unbelievable" how much negative stigma there is for people who are receiving free food.  

"That’s what ties us together - we all need food and everyone should have access to healthy, nutritious food. They should not have commodity food only, they need fresh vegetables and fruits," she said.

Rocky Mountain SER locally sources foods from Gagliano's sausage, Martino Cattle Company beef, Double J Meats chorizo, Milberger Farm chile, Mauro’s Kitchen burritos, as well as kolaches and other baked goods from Brunchies bakery in Colorado City. 

“With our organization in particular I am so grateful to work here — we are like a family and it’s not work when you love your job,” she said. 

Even the chief executives from Denver participate in front-line handing out of food, “every single food distribution we have.” 

The agency’s volunteers are the reason, Adakai and staff are able to keep the food drives and events going. As many as 60 volunteers coming from a myriad of agencies like East Side Action Support Team, will help out during an event. 

Starting in January, look for the pantry site to expand as an empowerment center where cooking demonstrations, educational programs, vocational classes, arts and athletics programs and even a workforce assistance office will be offered. The agency also has plans to open two more food pantries in the near future in Alamosa and the San Luis Valley.  

Hours at the Rocky Mountain SER food bank are from 4 to 7 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday. A drive-through mobile food distribution is held at noon the second Thursday of each month at the former Somerlid school site, 2717 West St. 

Because the Care and Share Sunny Side Market is filling the needs of residents in that area, the last mobile distribution at the former Spann school site, 2300 E. 10th St. will run from noon to 1 p.m.  Dec. 23. 

To find out more, go to the agency’s website at rmser.org or its Facebook page.

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Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@chieftain.com or via Twitter at twitter.com/tracywumps.