The Care and Share Food Bank of Southern Colorado knows plenty about top flight competition, they fight one of the world's toughest opponents every single day: Hunger.
"All over the country we're requiring our partners to give us as much food as they can," Chief Operating Officer Shannon Brice said.
This past week, they gained a major ally in their daily struggle.
"Last week, getting a call from the USOPC saying they had a lot of food was a pleasant surprise for us," Brice said. "Realizing that it accounted for about 18,000 pounds of food, we were utterly delighted."
With the Tokyo Olympics postponed until 2021, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee donated $125,000 worth of food that would have gone with Team USA athletes to the games.
"It was an opportunity for us to A, do the right thing and B, make an impact in a way that was finding a silver lining in what has a difficult reality in that the games have been postponed," USOPC Chief Executive Officer Sarah Hirshland said.
Nearly ten tons of everything from grains to Hershey's chocolate, because even the country's best need a little sweet from time to time.
"I'd like to think our nutritionist would say a little chocolate is good from time to time," Hirshland said.
One of the food bank's largest donations will benefit more than 30 counties from across the region, proving essentials at a time when many need it most.
"Having it not go overseas as a result of the postponing of the games will help our neighbors in Southern Colorado, which is a really beautiful thing," Brice said.
A team effort reaching more people than a podium ever could.
"To those who wake up every morning in our organization thinking about feeding athletes, feeding people isn't any different," Hirshland said. "It's great for us, it feels really good, we're thrilled to be able to share the story and we encourage others to follow suit."
If you would like to make a donation or find out how you can help, click on the link: Care and Share Food Bank
