Local Nonprofits Cash In On Computer Problems

Nonprofit organizations are taking in millions more dollars after computer problems forced promoters to extend donations for a day for Colorado Gives.

By the time donations closed at noon Wednesday, $12 million was raised, up from more than $8 million collected last year.

Colorado Gives Day began Tuesday at 12 a.m. Organizers decided to extend the one-day promotion because high demand on the website led to delays and computer problems.

More than 900 nonprofits joined Colorado Gives Day.

Corporate donors are matching a portion of the donations.

According to Care and Share, a local food bank, El Paso County nonprofits more than tripled what they brought in this year than last year.

Locally, the El Paso County coalition raised $127,189. Of that, Care and Share got $9,952.

This was the first year that Care and Share was part of the Colorado Gives campaign and the group said it was happy with the results.

Shannon Coker with Care and Share said the donations will help the food bank provide food to hundreds of aid agencies throughout southern Colorado.

“They come in on a daily basis,” Coker said. “They get food from us and go back to their agencies and distribute it.”

Care and Share said it hopes that the spirit of giving will continue through the coming year.

“Hunger never takes a holiday,” said Coker. “Hunger is a year-round issue that affects people Monday through Friday.”