Two nonprofits carry most of Durango's emergency food load, and they work differently. One hands out free hot meals through a window with no questions. The other runs a grocery pantry you reserve ahead of time. Knowing which door fits your situation saves a wasted trip, so start here.
Where can you get a free meal in Durango?
Manna, at 1100 Avenida Del Sol, runs the free-meal side. Its take-out meals page lists the take-out window as open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a rotating menu of hot dishes, sides and drinks. Anyone who needs food is welcome. If you cannot make the window, the community fridge holds cold boxed meals from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. A covered pavilion on the south side of the parking lot is open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday, for eating on site. Manna says staff and volunteers cook the meals from donations through Care and Share, grants and local sources, and its page lists no sign-in step for either the window or the fridge. The organization has fed people in Durango since 1985, and its directory listing has the phone number.
How does the Durango Food Bank work?
The Durango Food Bank, 194-C Bodo Drive, is a client-choice pantry run by appointment. The Food Bank's scheduling page sets out the rules:
- Households may visit up to two times per calendar month
- Pantry services are for residents of La Plata County, and new clients bring a photo ID
- Only one person per household shops each visit, with exceptions for disability, caregiving or language needs if you ask ahead
- Appointments missed without notice can count toward the two monthly visits
- Walk-ins are not guaranteed help, though people with an urgent need can call 970-375-2672 to discuss options
Distribution hours as posted: Monday and Tuesday 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and every other Friday 9 a.m. to noon. Holiday closures show up as missing slots on the calendar, so the booking page is the real schedule. New clients fill in an online intake form and upload ID first, which the Food Bank says cuts the in-person intake to 5 to 10 minutes. See the Food Bank listing for the contact details.
What is the Manna food market?
Manna also runs a free-choice food market inside its Resource Center. Per the Resource Center page, the market stocks produce, meat, canned and dried goods, bread and dairy from donations, and it limits what a household can take: typically 60 pounds a week for 1 to 2 people, 110 for 3 to 4 and 130 for 5 or more. Limits change with supply.
The Resource Center is open Tuesday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesday 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is closed Monday and on weekends. Manna says it needs no proof of ID, income or residency to make a profile. Staff can also help with food benefit applications, and the center offers showers, a mailing address and bus tokens. Call (970) 385-5095 with questions.
How do you apply for SNAP in La Plata County?
SNAP is the federal food benefit, paid on an EBT card. La Plata County Human Services says you can apply on the Colorado PEAK portal or pick up a paper application at its office at 10 Burnett Court, and the county number is (970) 382-6150 (La Plata County/index.php)). The Food Bank offers help with the form at info@durangofoodbank.org or 970-375-2672. Manna's navigators do the same during Resource Center hours.
Heating bills count too. The county notes that LEAP, the low-income energy assistance program, takes applications from Nov. 1 through April 30.
Where can you get emergency shelter or rent help?
The Durango Community Shelter at 1055 Avenida Del Sol is run by Volunteers of America. It reports being the only 24/7/365 shelter in Southwest Colorado, with beds for men, women and families, and says guests must be 18 or older unless they are children with a parent. Its shelter page lists a 24-hour crisis line at (970) 259-1255.
Housing Solutions for the Southwest, 295 Girard Street, handles rental vouchers, emergency homeless prevention and housing counseling. Its contact page lists office hours of Monday 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and Tuesday and Thursday 12:30 to 4 p.m., closed Wednesday and Friday, or by appointment, at 970-259-1086. Facing eviction? The group points people to Colorado Legal Services at 970-247-0266. The city's homelessness page also lists Southwest Safehouse at (970) 259-5444.
What else helps with cost of living?
Food is one line item. Our cost of living guide walks through rent and utilities, and the answer on rent in Durango shows what a lease runs. For a ride to an appointment, see public transportation in Durango. Hours change, so confirm by phone before a long trip.