Eastern Plains Community Pantry Board
EPCP History
The Eastern Plains Community Pantry (EPCP) is located in a small town east of Colorado Springs called Calhan, Colorado. The restructuring of the Pikes Peak Community Action Agency eliminated food programs available in the area. Care & Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado provided USDA Commodities at the El Paso County Fairgrounds on a monthly basis but it was evident that food was needed more than one day a month. The Eastern Plains Community Pantry began with a vision of a group of people that saw a need to help out individuals and families in the Calhan and the surrounding area.
Calhan’s population is mainly rural. As of the census of 2000, there were 896 people, 347 households, and 246 families residing in the town. The median income for a household in the town was $35,735, and the median income for a family was $50,000. Males had a median income of $32,135 versus $24,659 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,266. About 3.7% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over. (Check out more here)
February 2013, ECPC approved the following mission statement:
EPCP will encourage, support, and enhance the quality of life of community members by assisting with food distribution, living necessities, and other resources for everyone with respect, dignity, and without judgment or prejudice.
On a monthly basis EPCP helps over 570 individuals (190 families, 375 adults, and 210 children) with the following programs:
- Senior Boxes
- Commodities
- Care & Share Mobile Food Pantry every third Friday a month
- Emergency Food
- Clothing/Household goods
Eastern Plains Community Pantry received the 501(c)3 non-profit status in April of 2013.
History of the Eastern Plains Community Pantry
10 Year Anniversary
Eastern Plains Community Pantry will be celebrating 10 years of operation on Saturday, March 11, 2023, 11 am, at the Pantry. The anniversary celebration is open to the public, and a free chili and cinnamon roll luncheon will be served. The Pantry is located at 701 4th Street in Calhan. Y’all come, check out the Pantry, visit with the volunteers and have lunch.
The Pantry opened on March 1, 2013, with this mission statement: “Eastern Plains Community Pantry will encourage, support, and enhance the quality of life of community members by assisting with food distribution, living necessities, and other resources for everyone with respect and dignity and without judgement or prejudice.” The all-volunteer staff at the Pantry strives each day to uphold this mission statement to the best of their ability.
Over the years, the number of people receiving food increased from an average of 300 to 1,200 per month. People served with clothing and small household items has increased from an estimated 200 to 1,000 per month. When the pantry first opened, none of the volunteer board members would have guessed that 10 years down the road the Pantry would be serving an estimated 2,200 people per month. Of course, none of this would have happened without the support of donations from churches, businesses, organizations, and individuals, as well as granting organizations and fundraisers. To all that have supported Eastern Plains Community Pantry, from the people served, volunteers and board members- thank you so very much.