Parker Task Force is here to help our neighbors in need in Parker, Franktown and Elizabeth. Clients are encouraged to take advantage of our extensive food bank to save money for their financial needs. At each in-person or call-in shopping visit, clients consult with a trained PTF volunteer to discuss issues, explore resources and track progress to self-sufficiency. These meetings are documented in the client’s confidential file. We strive to treat everyone with compassion, dignity and respect. We also protect clients’ confidentiality by never disclosing their identities to others. Follow the links below to learn how we can help.
Food Bank
“We cannot even ever express our thanks enough to you! We have not had to buy groceries for several months now and can stay in our place and pay some bills. We thank God for you and for the time and effort we know you all give.”
PTF Client Family
Parker Task Force (PTF) offers a full grocery store where clients shop using a point system based on family size. Named after one of our founders, Nancy Gripman, “Nancy’s Market” enables clients to choose traditional grocery staples, as well as seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, poultry, eggs, fresh dairy, cleaning supplies, personal care products, paper goods and pet food.
Visit us Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
Please plan to arrive between 9 AM and 11:30 AM for same day service
All clients are welcome in our building. Masks are optional.
What to Expect / Policy on Children: Intake, consultation with a Client Advocate and the shopping process will take a minimum of 45 minutes to complete. For this reason, we ask that clients arrange to leave young children at home. If you have no other option, please plan to bring another adult to care for your child during the visit. Volunteer staff is not available to care for unattended children.
FIRST VISIT:
- Please bring proof of address in Parker, Franktown or Elizabeth: Photo ID + official mail from the current month addressed to you at your residence within our service area (e.g., utility bill, bank statement, etc.) in hardcopy or electronic form via your phone.
- Masks are optional in the building. If you would like a mask, please take one provided at the entrance.
- You do not need an appointment – just come during our regular office hours above
- Please do not come in person if you or anyone in your household has Covid-19 or any other contagious virus. In that instance, you may phone in for assistance.
RETURNING CLIENT:
- Proof of address in Parker, Franktown or Elizabeth is required at each visit. Please bring official mail from the current month addressed to you at your residence within our service area (e.g., utility bill, bank statement, etc.) in hardcopy or electronic form via your phone.
- Masks are optional in the building. If you would like a mask, please take one provided at the entrance.
- Please do not come in person if you or anyone in your household has Covid-19 or any other contagious virus. In that instance, you may phone in for assistance.
Phone-in shopping is available ONLY for the following exceptions:
- You or someone in your household has COVID-19 or any other contagious virus.
- Prior approval arranged for phone-in shopping due to disability or special circumstance.
For these special exceptions, we will be happy to provide contact-free food delivery to your car at pickup. In rare circumstances, delivery may be possible subject to available staffing and approval.
Please call us at (303) 841-3460 no later than 11:30 AM to allow time for same day service.
NOTE: the last contact-free grocery pickup of the day is at 12:45 PM.
Senior Program
We welcome Parker, Elizabeth and Franktown seniors to our food bank! Did you know that 9.3%* of Colorado seniors are food insecure? Living on a fixed income can tarnish the golden years and lead to spending tradeoffs when paying for housing, utilities, health care and other basic needs. No senior in our community should have to decide between purchasing prescriptions, paying bills or buying adequate food. At PTF, Senior Program clients are eligible to shop in our full-service market twice a month. This savings in grocery budget dollars can then be used for easing other living expenses. If you know a low-income senior who is struggling to make ends meet, please encourage them to reach out. We’re here to help. Please see FIRST VISIT instructions above.
*Source: FeedingAmerica.org – The State of Senior Hunger
Financial Assistance
“Everyone has been kind, helpful and understanding. Thank you, it’s hard to ask for help sometimes.”
PTF Client Family
Limited financial assistance may be considered for clients in jeopardy of utility shut off or eviction on a case-by-case basis. Clients must bring, or send in, appropriate documentation for requests to be considered. All monies are paid directly to the billing entity. Utility bills are typically limited to electric, natural gas or other heat source and water bills.
If you are seeking rent assistance, you must bring a copy of your lease. We have very limited funds for rent assistance through the end of 2023, and we can make no guarantees of assistance.
If you are seeking assistance with a past due utility bill or disconnect notice, you must bring a copy of the bill showing past due amount and/or disconnect notice.
We encourage clients to utilize our food bank and save the money they would have spent on groceries to pay bills, pay down debt or catch up on other commitments. We also encourage clients to save money to address future needs. PTF reviews client files regularly. Clients are strongly encouraged to follow suggested life changes and use our services to improve their situation and return to self-sufficiency.
While PTF pledges to keep all client information confidential, PTF may share client information with other agencies if collaborating with that agency to provide financial assistance in a substantial amount where agency monies are combined to meet a client’s financial obligation.
Assistance from PTF does not count as taxable income on tax returns or income for county assistance programs.
Referrals to Other Agencies
PTF often works in collaboration with, and refers clients to, other non-profit organizations and social service agencies in response to their individual needs. These resources are discussed during client meetings with PTF staff and shared in our extensive Resource Guide.
Food Emergency Assistance
“Everyone has been kind, helpful and understanding.
Thank you, it’s hard to ask for help sometimes.”
PTF provides one-time food emergency assistance to individuals and families who do not reside in our service territory. Please call our office, 303-841-3460 during business hours to receive emergency food help and to discuss other needs with our counselors. Our printable Out-of-Area Resource Guide lists Denver metro area assistance providing help in your area.
Financial assistance is not available for clients residing outside our service area. We recommend dialing 211 for a United Way Call Center referral to agencies providing the best help for your situation.
Scholarship Program
In 2017, the Parker Task Force Board of Directors launched a scholarship program for graduating high school seniors residing in our service area of Parker, Elizabeth and Franktown.
Designed to provide financial assistance to eligible graduating high school seniors pursuing higher education or post-secondary training (e.g., trade school), if awarded, the scholarship will be paid directly to the college or school.
Award recipients demonstrating academic success in their first year may reapply for additional aid in subsequent years to maintain and complete their education.
Applicants must:
- Complete the application and attach a cover letter
- Demonstrate financial need
- Show evidence of community service and school activities
- Have been accepted by a college or post-secondary school
- Be on track to graduate from high school in the current school year.
- Obtain a letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or administrator addressing the applicant’s potential for post-secondary success.
Applications are available at the Parker Task Force and in the counseling offices at Chaparral, Elizabeth, Legend, Lutheran and Ponderosa High Schools. Scholarships are available to any student meeting the application requirements regardless of whether their families are clients of PTF.
The Parker Task Force also awards scholarships to students attending Douglas County’s two alternative high schools, D, C, Oakes in Castle Rock and Eagle Academy in Lone Tree. These scholarships are available to students regardless of whether they reside in the service area of Parker, Franktown and Elizabeth.
Weekend Food Backpack Program
During the 2022 – 2023 school year Parker Task Force volunteers delivered 5,465 weekend food backpacks to students at 16 participating schools.
Each school year, social workers, guidance counselors and teachers at area schools identify students who are food insecure and in need of weekend help subsisting between Friday afternoon and Monday morning. At the end of each school week, Parker Task Force delivers backpacks filled with food to the school office, ensuring these students won’t go hungry through the weekend. Students are eligible to participate regardless of whether their family is a PTF client.
Many of the students receiving weekend food from PTF are homeless. Although homelessness usually conjures up an image of a man in ragged clothes on a city street corner — in Douglas County homelessness extends to families who cannot find or afford adequate housing. These families live with friends or relatives, often moving between homes. Depending on the weather, they may even spend some nights in their vehicles. The Douglas County School District staff includes a Homeless Liaison dedicated to working with these students.
We are always grateful for donations of food for this program. The following is a partial list of items needed:
- Juice boxes
- Variety pack cereal
- Canned pasta
- Ramen noodles
- Applesauce cups
- Canned fruit
- Fruit snacks
- Granola bars
- Mac n Cheese
- Pudding cups
- Goldfish crackers
- Cereal fruit bars
- Small bags of chips
- Instant oatmeal