ALAMOSA — La Puente held a ribbon-cutting event on Nov. 7 for the new Food Bank Network of the San Luis Valley, located at 802 State Ave., Alamosa. 

The project has been in the works for several years, according to Lance Cheslock, Executive Director of La Puente, who told the Valley Courier, "La Puente owns this facility for the community in perpetuity, and we have a mission to serve the community. We had over 200 volunteers contribute to making this happen and over 75 others as contractors, many of whom donated in-kind services to this." 

The food bank is in the location of the former Atencio's Market and needed significant renovations before opening to the public in late September. 

Alamosa Mayor Ty Coleman said, "I'm really impressed with what the food bank does; as I went on a tour today, I realized La Puente serves all people in the community. They mentioned that they serve over 5,000 unduplicated visitors a year here in the community at the shelter; that's a lot of people who get an opportunity to get a meal; that is one less child and family that is hungry and continues to get the nutritional values needed and stay healthy. I am really thankful and appreciative of all of the work the food bank does not only in Alamosa and throughout the San Luis Valley." 

In a previous interview, Cheslock confirmed “the renovation was on budget, and our budget took into account that we would need 1,500 hours of volunteerism (both professional and unprofessional) to keep costs down ended up receiving over 2,500 hours of volunteer assistance, and 250 people contributed to the renovations.” 

At the ribbon cutting, Annalise Baer, Food Bank Network Director, said, "This is truly a day of gratitude. Dignity is at the heart of everything we do at La Puente and at the Food Bank Network. It is really our guiding light, and it comes into all of our thoughts and how we serve our community and people who come here to shop for food." 

Deborah Huss, a food bank volunteer, was picked by La Puente to cut the ribbon and said this of her experience as a volunteer: "I came in and volunteered here, and I love it. The people are so welcoming, and I just want to be a part of this organization. 

"I have learned so much about the need for this place, the people who come in. I enjoy every day that I am here. I volunteer two days a week and that is fine with me. I have learned that sometimes things happen in people's lives, and they might need the food bank. People are always so thankful here; I have not run into anyone who has been nasty. They are always so grateful, and I'm getting to know them. I'm learning non-judgment and treating everyone as I would like to be treated with dignity. I've gotten as much back as what I give here." 

At 6,500 square feet, the new food bank is almost double the size of the old location and provides significantly more room for food storage. The space even has a large walk-in cooler, which was being worked on as the ribbon cutting was in progress. 

The food bank is open from noon to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.