Join the fight against food insecurity and help make sure every child in La Plata County has access to nutritious meals this summer!
The Pack the Pantry Summer Food Drive is collecting kid-friendly, non-perishable food items that are easy to prepare and enjoy.
Suggested donations include favorites like mac & cheese, ramen, canned fruit, granola bars, peanut butter, oatmeal, jerky, pudding cups, applesauce, crackers, trail mix, breakfast bars, and cereal.
The Pack the Pantry Summer Food Drive is made possible by generous contributions from local sponsors.
The 2026 Pack the Pantry Summer Food Drive Title Sponsor is Sky Ute Casino Resort, a full-service destination owned by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, offering a lively casino, hotel accommodations, family-friendly amenities, and multiple dining options.
Other local sponsors like Hutton Broadcasting’s Durango stations have teamed up again for the Ninth Annual Pack the Pantry Summer Food Drive, benefiting the Manna Backpack Program.
This vital community event helps combat food insecurity among children in La Plata County, ensuring they have access to nutritious meals when school is out for the summer. We need your support to make it a huge success!
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, May 23, 2026
- Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Where: Albertsons Durango
- Address: 311 W. College Drive, Durango, CO 81301
- Title Sponsor: Sky Ute Casino Resort
Live Broadcasts: Don’t miss the KKDG 99.7 Radio Free Durango & KPTE 92.9/107.9 The Point live broadcasts from the event!
Fighting Childhood Hunger in La Plata County
Addressing childhood hunger in La Plata County has been a collaborative effort aimed at ensuring all children have access to nutritious meals during school breaks. In 2018, Exit Realty and the 9R School District identified food insecurity as a critical issue affecting local children.
According to data from Feeding America, in 2021, approximately 12.3% of La Plata County’s population, including 22.7% of children, experienced food insecurity.
To combat this, the Backpack Program was established, providing children with food during school breaks. This initiative is supported by community partners, including Hutton Broadcasting, Manna, and Albertsons Durango, all working together to address this pressing issue.
What Is Food Insecurity?
Food insecurity refers to the lack of consistent access to enough nutritious food for an active and healthy life. It is not just about hunger; food insecurity can manifest in various ways, from worrying about where the next meal will come from to being unable to afford a balanced diet. In its most extreme form, it can lead to a reduction in food intake, which negatively affects overall health and well-being.
Food insecurity is deeply connected to economic and social challenges. Poverty, unemployment, and limited access to affordable, healthy food are key factors that contribute to this issue. For many families, food insecurity is a cycle that can be difficult to break without the right support.
Beyond impacting physical health, food insecurity also affects educational outcomes, as children who experience hunger or poor nutrition often struggle to focus and perform well in school.
Additionally, communities with high levels of food insecurity face broader social and economic challenges. Addressing food insecurity requires a comprehensive approach that tackles both the immediate needs for food and the underlying factors contributing to the issue.
A Community Effort
To combat food insecurity in our community, local organizations have come together to make a lasting impact. Since the beginning, Hutton Broadcasting, Manna, and Albertsons Durango have played vital roles in ensuring the success of the food drive.
Hutton Broadcasting amplifies the event through its Durango radio stations, helping raise awareness and encouraging community involvement. Manna collects and distributes the generous donations, while Albertsons continues to graciously host the event each year.
Thanks to the unwavering support of our community, we were able to collect over 700 pounds of food in 2025, and this year, we’re aiming to surpass that goal!
What to Donate
The Pack the Pantry Summer Food Drive welcomes kid-friendly, non-perishable food items such as:
- Mac & cheese
- Ramen
- Canned fruit
- Granola bars
- Peanut butter
- Oatmeal
- Jerky
- Pudding cups
- Applesauce cups
- Crackers
- Trail mix
- Breakfast bars
- Cereal
How You Can Help
- Donate: Drop off non-perishable food items at Albertsons Durango on Saturday, May 23, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- Spread the Word: Share the event with friends, family, and on social media.
- Support the Sponsors: A huge thank you to the sponsors, including Sky Ute Casino Resort, Hutton Broadcasting’s Durango stations (107.9, 92.9 The Point, Radio Free Durango, and KENN-KDGO), Manna, and others, whose generosity makes this event possible!
Join Us! Every Child Deserves a Meal
The Ninth Annual Pack the Pantry Summer Food Drive is a movement to ensure no child in La Plata County goes hungry this summer. By donating, spreading the word, and supporting our sponsors, you help make this essential initiative a success.
Together, we can combat food insecurity and make a lasting impact on the lives of children in our community. Every donation counts, and with your help, we can break records and make this summer a little brighter for those in need.
Let’s pack the pantry and fill young hearts and bellies with the nourishment they deserve. Hutton Broadcasting’s Durango radio staff will see you on May 23 at Albertsons in Durango!
Thank You to Title Sponsor
