Our History
As with many great organizations, SECOR Cares had a very humble beginning.
In the 1990s, SECOR (South East Community Outreach) began as a Christmas Outreach program from the Southeast Christian Church in Parker, CO, offering food and gifts to those who might not otherwise have a Christmas. From there, it grew into a year-round outreach program, feeding families in need.
In 2006, SECOR Cares became its own entity, an official 501c3 nonprofit organization, and began to expand its offerings and reach. The free food market took shape as a real market, and donations started to grow. Yet, suburban poverty's foothold in our community was widening.
Our Food for Thought program became an official outreach in 2015. We are able to provide healthy meals each weekend to families who are financially struggling by packing bags for children to take home. Since its inception, Food for Thought has grown from serving 3 schools to 35 schools throughout Arapahoe, Elbert, and Douglas counties.
In 2018, we saw more expansions for SECORCares – SECOR for Seniors and the Mobile Market. For our senior guests, we added not only our free food market but also some medical and dental care. As with our other guests, we also offer guidance to our seniors on budgeting and financial management, since the majority of them are on fixed budgets. Most of all, we offer our senior guests community and a sense of belonging.
And thanks to the kindness and generosity of our sponsor, Christian Brothers of Parker, the Mobile Market became a reality. Christian Brothers built a specialized truck, designed to allow us to take the Free Food Market on the road. In the summer, we specifically target the neighborhoods and schools we serve during the school year with our Food for Thought program, knowing that these families need food all year long, not just during the school year. We also serve several senior communities, ensuring they, too, have healthy meals. Watch for us on the road!
