KUSA Collects 206 Tons Of Food, $153,000

Thousands of people joined in the 29th annual 9Cares Colorado Shares winter drive, sponsored by Gannett NBC affiliate KUSA Denver (DMA 17), giving more than 413,000 pounds of food and a record-shattering $152,000 in cash donations, helping to restock depleted shelves in food banks across Colorado.

“We live in a truly great community and every year I am reminded of the generosity of so many who come out to donate food, clothes and toys and those that contribute money,” said KUSA President-GM Mark Cornetta. “To live in a community where there is such an outpouring of support for those less fortunate is something special. The many volunteers and corporate partners we have helped make this drive an even greater success as we simply could not do this without them.”

This year’s record total $152,551 is more than a 13% increase over last year’s previous record total of $132,125. “Watching people from all over Colorado share and give unselfishly is powerful and positive,” said KUSA VP-News Director Patti Dennis. “Hunger is very real in our own communities. 9Cares is part of the solution and all of us at 9News are humbled by the thousands of generous people who joined us on this special day.”

Since the first 9Cares in March 1983, the annual effort has grown from a modest food drive with a single collection site at the old KUSA building to the largest one-day food, clothing, and toy drive in the region with more than 30 sites across the state.