Key Info
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was
thirsty and you gave me drink.”
Hunger prevents anyone from moving toward stability. We provide this most basic need through three areas of food services: meals, food pantry, and emergency food boxes.
1994
The year Catholic Charities began operating the Marian House Kitchen.
255003
The number of pounds of food distributed through The Marketplace in FY 2022/23.
Where Can I Get Food?
MHK offers a free, nutritious, daily meal 365 days a year served in our dining room. The meal service is 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
The Marketplace provides a supermarket atmosphere where clients shop for about 10 days of food every month. Clients must have transportation and refrigeration. Make an appointment at: Pantry@CCharitiesCC.org, or walk in anytime we are open.
The Castle Rock office operates a limited in-office food pantry of nonperishable items for clients needing immediate help. Contact the Castle Rock Office: CROffice@CCharitiesCC.org
Since 1985, the Marian House Kitchen has been serving people who are hungry in downtown Colorado Springs. The Marian House Kitchen offers hot, nutritious meals 365 days a year to anyone who comes to our doors, free of charge. Meals are nutritionally balanced as we recognize that for many of those we serve, this is their only meal of the day. Meals usually consist of an entree, sides, salads, bread, and dessert. Coffee, water, and milk – if available, are offered as well.
Meal service is offered Monday through Sunday for lunch from 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Guests include struggling families, seniors on a fixed income, the working poor, veterans, people with disabilities, unsupported teens, and those who are homeless.
Marian House: Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What Does The Marian House Kitchen Do?
A. We provide free hot, nutritious meals seven days a week, every day of the year, to anyone who comes through our doors. We are located at 14 W. Bijou St. We serve lunch Monday through Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Q. Who Provides These Services?
A. The Marian House Kitchen is a program of Catholic Charities of Central Colorado, a local non-profit agency that serves anyone in need. Every day, approximately 50 dedicated volunteers (20 – 25 during COVID-19) from various organizations, churches, corporations,
the military, and individuals prepare and serve the meals at the Marian House. This ministry could not occur without the dedication of our volunteers. Catholic Charities of Central Colorado was founded in 1968 to provide compassionate, competent, and professional services that strengthen and support individuals, families, and communities based on the value and dignity of human life.
Q. Who Can Eat At The Kitchen?
A. Anyone who is hungry is welcome to share a meal at our table. We welcome struggling families, seniors on a fixed income, the working poor, veterans, people with disabilities, those who are homeless, and anyone who wants a good hot meal and some friendly
conversation.
Q. How Often Can I Eat At The Kitchen?
A. We serve one meal per guest each day.
Q. How Long Can I Stay At The Kitchen?
We serve meals Monday through Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Due to the number of people waiting to be served, we ask our guests to finish their meals in 30 minutes to accommodate as many people as we can, especially with COVID-19 social distancing restrictions that have reduced the total number of people who can be served in one day. We will never turn anyone away. If there are more people coming to us for a meal than can be accommodated during one of the ten, 30-minute seatings, meals will be provided in to-go containers. The Hanifen Center at Marian House adjoins the Kitchen and houses medical services, case management, mail, and phone services, and numerous partner agency services, all available from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm Monday through Friday.
Q. Does The Marian House Accept Working Kitchen Appliances?
A. Yes. Please call 719-229-9942 for information.
Q. Does The Marian House Kitchen Give Out Uncooked Groceries?
A. No, but we have a food pantry – The Marketplace – where clients can shop for groceries. To make an appointment, email Pantry@CCharitiesCC.org
Q. Is The Kitchen In Need Of Volunteers?
A, Yes. Please call the Marian House volunteer coordinator at 719-866-6559 to schedule a time or visit our volunteer page.
Q. Are Children Allowed To Volunteer?
A. Yes. Teens 13 – 15 years of age need to be supervised by a parent; children 16 years of age and older can be supervised by Marian House staff or adult volunteers
The goal of the Marketplace is to alleviate a temporary gap in food security for individuals and families. It is a six-month program. Because demand is high and resources are limited, we refer to partner agencies when appropriate.
The areas we serve are currently limited to the following zip codes: 80817, 80829, 80903, 80904, 80905, 80906, 80907, 80909, 80910, 80911, 80914, 80915, 80916, 80917, 80918, 80922, 80923, 80939.
Marketplace policies during this increased need for food due to the loss of SNAP have changed:
Walk-in hours have been expanded to ALL shopping days and times. If the pantry is open, you can walk-in.
If you already have an appointment, feel free to keep your appointment.
Operating Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 1:30 – 5 p.m
Tues and Thurs 3:00 – 5 p.m.
Please arrive by 4:30 p.m.
Bring proof of residence for zip code qualification with either a lease, utility bill with id, or two pieces of mail with name and address.
To make an appointment for the Marketplace call 719-866-6288 or email Pantry@CCharitiesCC.org
Clients will shop on a first come, first served basis.
Additional Resources:
We are once again welcoming individuals 60 and over who meet the requirements detailed above to use the Marketplace pantry for six months, while also referring them to Silver Key Senior Services nutrition programming for long-term support.
If you need food/grocery resources near your home, please visit careandshare.org/findfood.
Click Here for a list of additional pantry resources
The Marketplace food pantry was opened on Feb. 1, 2021, to address food instability gaps. It is the only food pantry in the downtown Colorado Springs area. Clients can schedule an appointment and shop just as they would at a standard grocery store. Available selections of fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, meat, cereals, and grains provide balanced nutritious meal options for families and individuals.
Much of the food available in The Marketplace is donated or is part of The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) – a federal program that helps supplement the diets of low-income Americans.
Want to support The Marketplace? Here’s how:
- Make a monetary donation on our donation page. Choose The Marian House in the drop-down menu.
- Go to our Wish List on this website for the most needed items. Donations can be dropped at the Marian House, 14 West Bijou Street, on the west side of the building, Monday – Saturday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Read the full USDA nondiscrimination statement by clicking on this link.
Volunteer Spotlight
Dick and Evelyn began volunteering at the Marian House in 1986. They work with a group that prepares, serves, and cleans up the daily meal several times each month, and they pick up donations of food from local supermarkets. Evelyn says, “This is God’s work.”
Mike lived in the shelter for a year. During that time, he ate at the Marian House Kitchen. When he found a job and an apartment, he began using The Marketplace food pantry to make ends meet. Mike says, “This was so well stocked. It was much more than I expected and very appreciated!”
Roger, a disabled Army vet, relied on the Marian House Kitchen for meals while trying to find a place that would accept his VA Housing Voucher. He says, “I relied on the Marian House for balanced meals because I could not fully care for myself while living in the shelter.”
Jason has multiple sclerosis. He insists, ” I am not M.S. I have M.S. but I’m way more than that.” The Marian House Kitchen is his home away from home, where he can receive a hot, nutritious meal and socialize when his family is busy.
location
Marian House Campus
14 West Bijou Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 (719-475-7314 – General Info Line)
Hours of Operation
Marian House Kitchen Meal Service – Mon – Sun, 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Marketplace Pantry: By Appointment
Mon, Wed, Fri 1:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Tues, Thurs 3 – 5 p.m.
719-866-6288
“The Marian House is invaluable because it feeds people. They keep people’s stomachs full and the food is good.”
“Never in a million years did I think I would be homeless.”
“When a person is truly ready to change, Catholic Charities will provide everything you need to change your life.”
“Some days it is just so hard to be homeless.”
“I feel way more confident in myself and my ability to be a mom.”
“Catholic Charities offered me a hand up and that made all the difference.”
“It felt like freedom…finally!”
“It seemed like there was no hope.”
“Every day we are thankful for Catholic Charities.”
“Seeing the help they gave to those in need really impressed me.”
“I am making the changes to get the life I have dreamed of.”
“If I didn’t have Catholic Charities, I don’t know where we would be. I am so grateful.”
