Committed to Client Choice 

How would you feel if you went to the grocery store, and instead of shopping, someone handed you a bag of food they packed up for you? You look inside the bag and realize you aren’t familiar with some of the items included. You aren’t sure how to prepare certain items, because they aren’t typically eaten by people with your cultural background. You also realize that there is pasta, but your child can’t eat gluten. And since you can’t make any changes, you have to do your best with what you were given. But what do you do with the food items your family can’t eat?  The grocery store won’t take them back, so do you give it to someone else? Or throw it away? 

Families experiencing food insecurity often face this situation when receiving food assistance.  Due to funding cuts and logistical challenges, many food pantries have no choice but to distribute pre-packed bags or boxes to their clients.  This method is certainly preferable to no food distribution at all.  However, at Food for Hope, we believe that offering client choice remains the most effective approach to providing nutritional support.  Our organization tries to encourage  as many families as possible to utilize our in-school food pantry locations due to this fact.  Here are a few reasons why:

Benefits to Client Choice Model: 

• Allows families to select foods that meet their unique cultural and health needs.

• Reduces food waste significantly.

• Increases dignity and autonomy for clients.

• Provides access to fresh produce, bread, dairy, and frozen meats.

• Enhances overall community engagement.

• Offers volunteers opportunities to build relationships and reduce client stress during pantry visits.

And those are just some of the primary benefits to giving clients the freedom to choose the items they prefer at a food pantry visit. I will admit, there are a few challenges to this model of service, too. Providing the opportunity for client choice requires more resources and infrastructure, so it’s important for community partners and funders to be willing to invest in this type of work. Another obstacle is that certain students and families are unable to visit the pantry due to transportation or scheduling issues. Food for Hope utilizes our weekend food bag program to fill gaps for any families unable to visit a food pantry, so we are thankful that pre-packed bags are an option. Overall, the benefits outweigh the challenges when it comes to client choice!  Desiree Quintanilla at 27J said it best, “When I think about the possibility of Food for Hope growing and getting additional funding, I get really excited, because I think the model that we have really works.”

A Window Into Our Why

Food for Hope recently completed our annual survey of families who visit our various food pantry locations.  We realize that completing surveys takes time and energy, but we are incredibly grateful for the valuable insight they provide into the communities we serve. One result that jumped out to me was that 55% of families surveyed reported that someone in their household would miss at least one meal each week if they didn’t have the resources provided by Food for Hope. Our goal is to ensure that no family in the schools we serve has to make that kind of sacrifice.

I want to take this opportunity to share with you some of the comments we received from parents and caregivers who completed the survey this year.  My hope is that these statements will give you a glimpse into the ‘why’ behind our work.

“Times are tough, and with only one income and my health issues, Food for Hope has helped us provide some extra support for our family. Thank You.” 

“Food for Hope helped me and my grandchildren when there were no other options for us.”

“My family and I have been struggling with our work situation. Sometimes work slows down a bit, and Food for Hope has really helped us in these difficult times. They provide us with enough things to make it through the week.”

“They make me feel welcome [and] loved and like I'm doing something right when everything else is going wrong.”

“I am grateful because this pantry helps a lot in my home. My children have milk that they love and cereal.”

“It's a great help because everything is very expensive right now and money isn't enough, and they serve very good food, thank you very much.”

“My family has been very helped by the help offered here. The food is of good quality and my children love it. We are happy not to have to worry about food every month. We are very grateful to Food for Hope for helping us feed our children. Thank you very much for the support you have provided to our family.”

When we ask for financial support, advocacy, or volunteers, it is because we want to inspire hope in families like these.  We genuinely want to allow our community’s children the basic and vital right of knowing they will have enough to eat each day.  If you want to help us continue our mission, please join us in our upcoming celebration on Thursday, May 1st at 5:30PM at the Brighton Armory Events Center.  This year, we have reimagined our annual fundraiser into a fun and interactive event that will include prizes, live music, a silent auction, and more. All proceeds from this event will support the programs of Food for Hope!  For more information, or to purchase tickets, click the button below.

Behind the Scenes: A Look Back

Celebrating a decade of work here at Food for Hope has led to a lot of reflection and story-telling. I recently talked to a staff member about what things were like in a typical week when we first started operations 10 years ago. Our processes differed greatly from how things are now, and in some ways, things were a bit comical. So I thought I could share those memories here too.

When Food for Hope first began in 2015, we packed 100 bags total each week that went to McElwain & Thornton Elementary Schools. The challenge was figuring out how to source enough food to pack these bags. At the time, we did not yet have a relationship with Food Bank of the Rockies. I also didn’t want to pay full retail for these items since we needed to make our limited funding go as far as possible. My solution was to purchase food at the discount grocery store in Dacono. When I went and told the store what I was doing, they were very kind and accommodating to our large food purchases. At first I thought that ordering enough food for a month of food bags at once was the way to go. The store was very gracious and processed a special order for us. But when we went to pick it up, I realized I had drastically underestimated how many cans and cases a month’s worth of bags would require. The workers at the store were considerate enough to muffle their laughter as we awkwardly tried to stuff large quantities of food into the back of a couple of trucks and SUVs. When we finally made it back to the small building where Food for Hope was operating, it was clear we had no place to store that much food! The boxes and cans were lined up against the walls for a month while we slowly got it all distributed to the community. At that point, we realized we needed to purchase food each week. However, that was certainly not an ideal solution, either. One of our dedicated volunteers, Dick Schmitz, took it upon himself to shop for food with me. He and I would head up to Dacono on a Monday morning to count out the items directly off the shelf. Picture an older gentleman and a clueless young woman crouching on the ground, pulling packs of spaghetti noodles out of the furthest reaches of all the shelves and stacking them into multiple shopping carts. Repeat with canned fruits and vegetables. Repeat again for shelf-stable proteins. Repeat again because we lost count and had to start over. When we were finally done, we would take all our carts through the check-out and load everything into our two cars to go unload back at the church. The time it took to obtain 100 bags worth of food was overwhelming. (And you can see why we created the Schmitz Service Award in honor of this volunteer’s legacy!) After the food was acquired, it was time to pack weekly bags! In the early days, we had 10-20 people who would come to pack the food each week. All the food items were arranged by category on long tables and packed into bags, assembly line style. Then, on Thursday mornings, Mr. Schmitz, another volunteer, and I would pack the bags into our cars to deliver to the schools. Once they were delivered, we would begin the list for next week’s purchases and start again. Phew. I’m exhausted just remembering!

Ten years later, Food for Hope is benefiting from the additional support of staff, food supplier relationships, and bulk purchasing power. On Monday of this week, we were able to receive and process over 16,000 pounds of food! All the items we stocked on that day will go out to 28 locations over the next couple of weeks. And that number is actually lower than normal because of Spring Breaks in the school districts we serve! I share those numbers to celebrate how far we have come. I’m so thankful for the incredible staff who work hard alongside our volunteers to mobilize food to the families who need it. Every step in the evolution of our organization in the last decade has been to provide hope to children and families in our community. Thank you to everyone who has been on this journey with us!

Come celebrate with us!  Thursday, May 1st at 5:30PM

Join us at the Brighton Armory Events Center to celebrate 10 years of Food for Hope! Get ready for a night packed with food trucks, games, auctions, live entertainment, and nonstop fun. Rock your casual Birthday Bash attire and let’s make this celebration unforgettable! Don’t miss out—come party with us and toast to 10 years of spreading hope! This year, all tickets will be sold individually. Attendees will be free to enjoy the activities in the order they prefer and open seating will be available for those that want to eat together. This is going to be a unique event that you don't want to miss, so reach out to your friends, colleagues, or family and purchase your tickets today.

Spread the Love: Creative Ways to Give Back

Last Monday, the volunteers at our 27J food pantry were surprised with a sweet treat from a family who has been coming to the location for resources.  This family has become well acquainted with the Food for Hope volunteers who work with them, and they wanted to show their appreciation.  Our volunteers were overwhelmed that a family who is in need of food would use some of their precious resources to make them muffins!  

Since February is the month of love, I thought we could take a minute to consider how people choose to show love.  In the case of the family mentioned above, they chose to perform an act of kindness for our volunteers and help them feel loved in their work.  Have you ever heard of The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman?  In this book, the author reflects that everyone tends to have a dominant way that they give or receive love. (Do you know yours?  If not, take the quiz here.)  Once you know your love language and the ones for those who are closest to you, then you can communicate love in the most powerful and effective way possible.

But here’s a twist!  You can also use your love language to positively impact your community.  That’s right. Below is a list of all of the love languages and how you can use them to support Food for Hope - or any community organization that you particularly adore.  Take the challenge and try one out!

• Acts of Service / Quality Time - 

• Definition: You love by giving someone or something your undivided attention and by doing acts of service that makes someone else’s life easier. 

• How to Show Community Love:  Food for Hope relies on hundreds of volunteers a year to make our programs work.  There are a lot of opportunities to jump in and help.  Fill out a Volunteer Interest form to see where you can get plugged in!
  

• Physical Touch - 

• Definition: You express or receive love through physical contact.

• How to Show Community Love:  Get in there and be present with the work that needs to be done!  This can be done through volunteering.  But donating food can also provide a tactile way to jump into Food for Hope’s mission of helping our neighbors in need. Choose a few items from our needed foods list, and then drop them by the hub during the week.
  

• Gift Giving - Giving Money 

• Definition: You express or receive love through thoughtful gifts.  

• How to Show Community Love:  One of the biggest ways to show love to your community is to invest in the work of helping those in need.  Food for Hope has kicked off a Growth Initiative with a goal to raise $2 million in 2 years!  These funds will be used to sustain our work and begin serving schools on the waitlist for our programs.  Your one-time or recurring gift of any amount will show a tremendous amount of love to Food for Hope and to the local kids we serve.  Learn more, and make your contribution here!
  

• Words of Affirmation - 

• Definition: You express or receive love most effectively through encouraging words - like compliments, kind notes, etc.  

How to Show Community Love:  For Food for Hope (or any organization you support), a Google review can go a long way.  Give our organization 5 stars and tell others why you think the mission is important.  You can also use your voice by utilizing social media accounts to advocate Food for Hope’s cause.  Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram. Share posts, help promote fundraisers, or even raise money yourself through your networks! If your family has benefited in a special way utilizing our food programming, we’d love for you to share your story with us! 

The Value of Volunteering

Ava & Emily this past December!

At Food for Hope, we rely heavily on volunteers to help us pursue our mission of feeding children in need.  In 2024, we hosted 894 volunteers who gave 4,271 hours of their time! That averages out to approximately 82 total hours given per week!  The community members who help us range from young children to those in retirement, and they do everything from sorting food and packing weekend food bags to helping with fundraising and representing our organization at community events.  

One group that we especially enjoy working with is high school students.  Most times, these students are coming to us because they need volunteer hours for school requirements.  However, many of them continue to volunteer beyond their school requirements . They get to know our staff and begin to take ownership of our mission as they grow in their leadership skills.  It is always a fun process to watch!  

Recently, I reconnected with a Horizon High School graduate who came back to volunteer with us on her holiday break from college.  I was so encouraged to see her here. I found out that she has been volunteering at the food pantry on her college campus. It was incredibly exciting and encouraging to see her take her willingness to serve and her passion for helping those in need into her next phase of life.  Below is her volunteer story.

Ava is 18, and she is currently studying Chemical Biosciences at the University of Oklahoma. She originally got connected with Food for Hope five years ago when searching for a way to fulfill service hours for her high school clubs.  She says, “Over the years, I began volunteering there more frequently and built stronger connections with the employees. Food For Hope became so much more to me than a signature on an hours log.”  Ava volunteered consistently with our organization throughout the many challenges of the pandemic and in a period of significant growth for our programs.  She says she was motivated to continue volunteering because she was making an actual difference in her community. She reflects, “The fact that each bag I touched was going to a child's family who really needed it was so fulfilling. Also, knowing that there were kids that might literally sit next to me in class who needed a weekend food bag was surreal, and I felt an obligation to serve those with food insecurity in any way that I can.”

Ava continues to serve at the food pantry at the University of Oklahoma. She began by serving with some of the clubs she participates in, but then decided to take an online course to become certified to work there anytime.  She passes the food pantry every day on the way to class.  She shares, “The physical reminder, along with my passion to help others in a similar way that I did at Food For Hope, encouraged me to sign up to volunteer.”

Volunteers like Ava play a critical role in our daily operations here at Food for Hope. But, over the years, I have witnessed many ways that giving back benefits the volunteers too! Ava’s words capture it well, “Volunteering at Food For Hope and my school's food pantry positively impacted me beyond words. I learned the importance of selflessness and gratitude. I also learned how much I enjoy working in a way that benefits others, which has definitely influenced my future career choice of an occupation in the medical field. As I grow into adulthood, I will carry with me the feelings of pride, accomplishment, and fulfillment that I felt when serving others at Food For Hope and the OU Food Pantry.”  We hope all of our volunteers experience that feeling of accomplishment, and that they take those positive feelings with them into whatever life brings next.  

If you are interested in volunteering with us, visit our Volunteer page and click on “New Volunteer”.

"Championing Refugee Families: A Conversation with Pavlo Nasada"

Thank you to Murphy Co. Mechanical Contractors for their donation of items including gift cards for each baking box.

Food for Hope has had the privilege of getting to know many of the dedicated and selfless individuals who work for the school districts we serve.  Today I’m going to introduce you to one of them.  Pavlo Nasada is a Refugee Community Navigator for Adams 12 Five Star schools.  I first met Pavlo at a community meeting, and I was struck by his dedication to the newcomer families he serves.  When we spoke about the services of Food for Hope, he had insightful suggestions for how we could encourage refugee families, many of whom live amidst very difficult circumstances.  I recently caught up with Pavlo again, and he answered some questions about his story and the stories of those he serves.

When did you move to Colorado and what circumstances brought you here? Originally, I moved to the United States in 2010. I traveled around the country playing the role of an interpreter for Ukrainian delegations visiting the U.S. I would also travel back to the Ukraine as an interpreter for U.S. delegations there too.  I then studied in Oklahoma for 5 years, earning a degree in Accounting and Health Administration at Langston University.  After finishing school, I moved back to Kiev.  However, when the war started, my son and sister encouraged me to leave the country again.  After traveling in Europe for six months, I returned to the United States. My son was already living in Colorado, so I began to look for a job in this area.  I was surprised to find a job with Adams 12 Five Star Schools that fit my skill set perfectly. 

Describe your job with Adams 12 Five Star Schools? Since February, I have been working as the Refugee Community Navigator for the Student and Family Outreach team at Adams Five Star Schools.  My job is to advise, guide, and connect the Russian and Ukrainian speaking refugee families as they get established in the community here. I never thought I would have this job because it matches everything I am. I feel like I have the right place to work and be. Families who move here to start a new life need to be received with understanding and compassion.  They are navigating systems that are very unfamiliar to them, and many are learning a new language for the first time.  We help many parents with all of the pieces that come along with establishing their families here in the U.S. This includes everything from sourcing clothing, food, and school supplies to assisting with job applications, English classes, transportation, and opening bank accounts.  Many parents are afraid or overwhelmed, and they find tremendous comfort in being able to speak to someone in their own language as they process all they are experiencing.  Sometimes they just need us to listen.  Students in these families experience very similar challenges.  Our team comes alongside them with translation and school interaction assistance, as well as hosting events where refugee students can come together and have fun.  Last summer, we partnered with a local organization to put on a soccer camp, and, in October, we hosted a family picnic day. We are also able to provide free recreation center passes to students so that they can enjoy the facilities and interact with the surrounding community.  I was surprised to learn that services like ours even existed in a local school district, and they are greatly appreciated by the families we serve.

How have you seen Food for Hope help local families? Food for Hope is a valuable resource of extra food support for these families.  The parents and students we serve are able to access Food for Hope food pantries inside schools, and we are thankful for the variety of choice of those locations.  We are also able to receive monthly food boxes from them that are customized for refugee families.  These boxes fill hunger gaps in more urgent situations.  Finally, Food for Hope responded to our request for something special for the holidays by creating holiday baking kits for families.  These kits included baking items, recipe cards, and even a small gift card for the purchase of fresh items.  The families loved them!

If there was one message you could leave with our community, what would it be? I have seen this year how Food for Hope and the Student & Family Outreach team have the same mission.  We all just try to love our neighbors and help those in need. We should all love those next to us who could use a little help or encouragement.

Thank you to Pavlo and his teammate, Oksana Voskresenska, for chatting with me about their work. Food for Hope relies on community partnerships to help promote our work and ensure we are reaching the families that truly need it. As we navigate our own lives, I hope the awareness of what others are experiencing on a daily basis will help us display more patience, compassion, and understanding to those around us.  Happy Holidays from all of us here at Food for Hope!

How do we Feed 5000?

How do we Feed 5000?

Every year, Food for Hope partners with ThornCreek Church to provide holiday meal boxes to families in need. These boxes contain everything needed to prepare a Thanksgiving meal at home.  Did you know that this program is one of the largest Thanksgiving meal distributions in the state of Colorado? This year, we are distributing 2,500 boxes and each box will serve a family of 4-6 individuals.  That means over 10,000 local individuals will have the dignity of a holiday meal at home when they otherwise may have gone without.  Our team works for months to fundraise, plan, market, and curate food items, so that we can reach as many families as possible. During this season, I tend to get a lot of questions about Feed 5000, so I thought I would take a minute to answer some of the most common ones I hear. 

Why is this event called Feed 5000 and how long has it been going on?  

In the early 2000’s, ThornCreek Church wanted to show God’s love to local families in need by encouraging them and helping in any way they could.  A connection to McElwain Elementary brought the opportunity to bring joy to the lives of their students and families by putting on a carnival right before Thanksgiving.  Many of the families at this school were in a position of economic need, so as the tradition continued through the years, a food box distribution was added to this event.  Over time, two more schools were added, and ThornCreek continued to build relationships with the local school district so that they could be a blessing to the community.

In 2014, ThornCreek founded Food for Hope in order to provide this type of nutritional support year-around.  Since that time, Food for Hope has established itself as an independent 501c3 organization and developed infrastructure and connections in the community to grow the Feed 5000 event to reach more people than ever.  ThornCreek and Food for Hope partner together to make this event happen.  What started with 1 school is now reaching more than 130  schools and over 10,000 people with Thanksgiving meals this year!  

What do you put in the boxes?

Each box contains popular Thanksgiving side items such as: corn, sweet potatoes, gravy mix, green beans, cornbread mix, and a dessert.  It also includes  a $25 gift card so that families can purchase the meat or produce of their choice and make the meal according to their cultural preferences.  

How do you get boxes out to so many families?

Food for Hope partners with six different school districts and a charter school to identify and reach families who need this type of nutritional support.  Boxes are either delivered to school sites or picked up by school staff to be distributed out to families over the five days leading up to Thanksgiving break.  We are so thankful for all of our school partners for playing a pivotal role in making this effort a success.

How much does Feed 5000 cost?

In 2020, it was decided to transition from including turkeys in the boxes to adding gift cards instead. This change alleviated logistical challenges and allowed us to scale up and serve more people.  Additionally, the gift cards allow families to purchase foods according to their cultural preference. For 2,500 boxes, this event now costs close to $80,000. That is why community sponsorships are so important!  Food for Hope does not profit off of Feed 5000, and all funds raised are used to ensure a happy holiday for families in need.

How can I help? 

Feed 5000 is taking place this week!  It may be too late to volunteer, but there are still boxes to be sponsored if you would like to do that here.  Or check out our Facebook and Instagram pages to catch all of the action. Finally, you can bookmark the Feed 5000 website so that you can be a part of this event next year

He Was Just Hungry

He Was Just Hungry.

There is a story I have been telling a lot lately, and I’d like to tell it here too.  A principal at a 27J elementary school shared this anecdote with me when Food for Hope first started serving their community in 2018.  It has resonated with me ever since. She told me about a boy in their school the year before that was notorious for being a problem in the classroom.  He often had disruptive outbursts, didn’t complete requested work, and t generally misbehaved.  No matter what the staff tried to do to redirect and help this student, the negative trend in his demeanor remained for the whole year.  Then, towards the end of the school year, a church brought in some food that they had collected to give to families in need. This boy was one of the students brought in to pick out food for his family.  When given a bag and told he could pick whatever he wanted, the child got tears in his eyes and said, “I’m so hungry.” So hungry.  The principal told me that is the moment that it all came together for them.  He had just been hungry the whole time.  Not defiant, not lazy, but hungry.

This story supports the research that has been done on how regularly experiencing hunger can affect children as they grow and learn.  A report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) found that kids who are food insecure are also more likely to have behavioral issues. This can manifest in the classroom as difficulty concentrating, increased irritability, or even aggressive behavior. It’s no wonder teachers often notice that hungry kids struggle to keep up. The effects of hunger aren't only academic. Children who are food insecure are more likely to experience health problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these kids are at a higher risk for obesity, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. It’s a vicious cycle: hunger leads to health issues, which in turn can affect a child’s ability to learn and thrive in school.

The free breakfast and lunch offered at school is an important piece of a nutritional foundation for children, but how can we make sure kids are getting adequate food at home too?  Food for Hope was created to specifically address this issue.  I always think about this little boy when I need to be reminded why we do what we do.  And why it's important to keep going even when moving forward with our mission is tough. He and thousands of others like him are why we are currently promoting a Growth Initiative Campaign to shore up our resources and ensure we can continue providing healthy, fresh, and culturally sensitive foods through our programs.  As we enter the holiday season, would you remember this boy?  Would you remember Food for Hope and possibly consider our organization for a year-end gift? The future of our community will be brighter with your investment in hope.

What Does It Mean to Take Action?

What Does It Mean To Take Action?

September is Hunger Action Month.  This is an annual initiative from Feeding America that strives to bring awareness to the prevalence of food insecurity and encourages citizens to take action to help their neighbors who experience this hardship.  Here at Food for Hope, we regularly interact with local families who are enduring injustice, difficulty, and hunger.  The need is so great.  We appreciate the intention of Hunger Action Month, because we acknowledge that this is an issue that is too big to be addressed alone.

Last week, a woman stopped by Food for Hope’s new distribution hub in search of food resources. Our conversation in the parking lot revealed that her story could be anyone’s story. She has been working two jobs, but taking care of an ill family member was using so many resources that she could not find a place to live that she could afford.  She has partial custody of her daughter, and was trying to find food so that she would have something to feed her during their visit the coming weekend.  This woman is working around the clock to try to make ends meet, but she still needs help.  Since she does not have a child in one of the schools we serve, I was able to connect her to another local food bank where she could get the items she needed. However, there are many more people experiencing this reality in the Denver area.  Parents are especially struggling because they are trying to make sure their children are getting the nutrition they need despite the high cost of living and difficult circumstances.  These families are great examples of why your action makes a difference.

So what is there to do? , you may be thinking, ‘I don’t have time for anything else. How can I take action when I barely manage to make it through the day with my own obligations?’ I know.  We are all busy and schedules are packed with school, sports, music lessons, work, and more.  But action doesn’t have to be time consuming.  Here are a few thoughts on quick things you can do that will make a positive impact on the mission to address childhood hunger in our area.  Will you take the challenge to pick one of these and do it before the month ends?  You can do it!  I believe in you.

• Follow Food for Hope (@foodforhopeCO) on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram.  Share one post with your network!

• Skip a coffee or meal out & donate the amount to buy food for local kids in need!  You can Venmo us! @foodforhopeco

• Sign-up to volunteer for a future date!  Just one or two hours of your time can help tremendously. 

• Sponsor a Thanksgiving meal box for a local family in need for our upcoming Feed 5000 meal distribution. 

A special thank you to the groups that have taken action with Food for Hope so far this month!

●City of Northglenn Clerk’s Office                         ● Good Shepherd United Methodist Church

●King Soopers Marketplace                                  ● Intrepid Bodyworks

●Xcel Day of Service                                             ●Girl Scout Troops 65753 & 630687

10 Years Ago...The Food for Hope Story

10 Years Ago - The Food for Hope Story

Please bear with me a moment while I reminisce about the beginning of Food for Hope, which was exactly 10 years ago this month! I am in awe of what this community has empowered us to accomplish, and the ways our programs have been built through a collective passion for the welfare of our children. 

In August 2014, Pastor Ruben Villarreal of ThornCreek Church, Mayor Heidi Wiliams of Thornton, & soon-to-be Executive Director Emily Stromquist decided to convene members of the community around the cause of hunger. At the time, Mayor Williams had recently had an experience seeing bare cupboards in a resident’s home, and she was left with a heavy burden to help with hunger in a bigger way.  During the same season, Pastor Villarreal had been feeling led by God to start a ministry providing weekend food to local children experiencing food insecurity.  His connection to a similar program in another state provided a template for what would become Food for Hope. 

How do you start a movement from scratch?  We decided to bring together local stakeholders to see who might be willing to partner with us in this effort. I remember not being sure who would actually come to the meeting at the City of Thornton building, but I was encouraged when many local leaders of businesses, organizations, and churches showed up!  What should we call this program? How do we raise money? How do we ensure this program continues once it starts? These were just some of the questions we tackled in those early days.  The overall consensus was that the most important thing was that children, who are most vulnerable to adverse circumstances, should never have to be without food. 

In September of that year, I remember receiving the very first check donated to “Food for Hope.” When I found the envelope, I remember falling to my knees in disbelief. Someone in the community - a stranger! - chose to invest in our effort?!  My reaction may sound dramatic, but I think that was the moment I realized we may actually be able to make this thing happen.  A couple of months later we took our first 50 weekend food bags to McElwain Elementary school. At the time we were directly purchasing items off of the shelf at a discount grocery store. Imagine the looks we got when we rolled up to the register with our overflowing carts every week!  But we pressed forward and grew and continued to find better ways to make our mission a reality. 

Now a staff of seven, we have one employee whose entire job is to coordinate and order food!  We receive an average of 6,000 pounds of food a week and distribute it back out to in-school food banks, weekend food bags, and School Fuel snacks. We are able to curate culturally sensitive and healthy food choices to give families who are struggling dignity even as they access the resources they need.  What began as a desire to help, has turned into a community effort that continues to blow me away each day.  The hope is that students receiving nutritional support from us will become successful, contributing members to our community and they will partner with us to help even more children coming through school in the future. 

Thank you to everyone who continues to come alongside us.  I can’t wait to see what the next 10 years bring.  Cheers to full bellies and hopeful hearts!

On The Move!

Along with the rest of the world, Food for Hope is settling into the new normal after the COVID-19 Pandemic. The events of 2020 set in motion a period of rapid growth in our organization.  A challenging economic environment led to skyrocketing rates of need and a sharp increase in demand for our services. At the end of 2019, Food for Hope had two employees, an annual budget of $196,500, and one food bank operating in schools.  In the current fiscal year, we have 7 employees, our budget is targeted at just over $1 million, and we will be operating 10 food banks in the fall alongside our other programs and special projects. 

As you can imagine, the last five years have been a dynamic time of increasing capacity and making our operations as efficient and effective as possible. However, Food for Hope has recently hit a wall in our ability to come alongside more schools and help more families in need.  At our current location, we are out of physical space and unable to increase the amount of food we are able to receive and distribute each week.  This fact has led to the creation of a waitlist for our services, which currently holds 5 locations requesting food banks that we cannot yet accommodate.  Additionally, our space only has one cramped office for all of the staff to share and is not spacious enough for efficient food deliveries.  Several times last year, large food orders took over 4 hours to be unloaded due to the logistical challenges of our location.

All of the factors above prompted our staff and board to undertake the strategic planning process over the last seven months.  We discussed everything from the origin of Food for Hope to our renewed vision and hopes for how we can serve Adams County into the future. 

Highlights of the Strategic Plan Include:

• Food for Hope’s commitment to our founding principles and our culture of equality, deep relationship, compassion, and community.

• In order to serve more families we will work to:

• Strengthen operations efficiency & scalability.

• Bolster our organizational infrastructure.

• Continue to focus on culturally relevant, healthy, and locally sourced food.

• Develop relationships across Adams County to increase resources and help meet the demand for services we are experiencing.

• We will work toward reaching more underserved communities in the Eastern side of Adams County.

Additionally, I am very excited to share two big announcements! 

First, Food for Hope has acquired a new space, and will be moving into a new building to start the school year!  This new space will be the first office and warehouse space dedicated solely to our mission.  This move will allow our organization to grow and provide more healthy, culturally sensitive food to local children in need.  There will be more details to come, and we can’t wait to share our new home with the community.

Next, as Food for Hope celebrates 10 years of service to Adams County, we are looking forward to how we can better grow our mission.  In September, we are launching a Growth Initiative with a goal of raising $2 million in 2 years!  I hope that you will join us on what is sure to be an exciting journey ahead.  It is so important for our organization to have partners who are invested in our mission.  Please follow along with our monthly newsletter and on social media to be kept up on the latest of what is happening.  Keep your eyes out for an invitation to an Open House this fall, where you can tour our new space and get a glimpse of our vision for the future. 

Supporting Families Through the Summer: An Interview with Suzi Vega Bradley

Summer Support - Behind the Scenes

I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Suzi Vega Bradley, the office manager for STEM Launch in Adams 12 Five Star Schools. Suzi helps facilitate connecting Food for Hope services to families.  Her work has enabled our organization to reach many families in need, particularly during the summer.  Please enjoy this opportunity to learn more about what it looks like to be on the frontlines of serving families in our community.

Suzi, tell us a little bit about your role working for Adams 12 Five Star Schools.

I am an office manager at STEM Launch, and I have been with the district for seven years. My key responsibilities include supporting the front office staff, handling financial and HR duties for the school, making sure the school has the necessary supplies, and helping the Parent Teacher Organization fundraise and plan events. Something I absolutely love is planning events, but the most impactful piece of my job is working with students to make sure they have what they need to succeed each day.  This is a big responsibility because students need everything from uniforms to food and school supplies. I communicate regularly with families and manage the resource room/food bank to connect them with what they need.    

What trends have you seen over the last few years in the needs of families?

I have definitely seen an increase in the needs of families over the last few years. I think that food insecurity has become a major cause of concern because the cost of food has skyrocketed.  Our school is based in an area of high need. In listening to parents, especially those who are in single-income households, they are struggling to pay for basic electricity, water, and housing. Then, on top of that, they have to manage childcare and transportation. Many are in the situation of having to choose what bills to pay because they can’t cover everything. Clothing and food are, by far, the most significant needs for students and their families. I’ve seen a big increase in utilization of resources in the last four years. Families have spread the word about how we can support them, and we have seen a big response here at STEM Launch.

Part of your position is helping Food for Hope at our food banks over the summer.  What was your experience like working in the two Food for Hope food banks last summer?  

For me, it was bucket-filling.  Don’t get me wrong, it was hard work.  Both locations I managed were very busy, with a lot of students and families visiting for food support. But it was bucket-filling because I was able to play a little role in making sure parents could take a moment and breathe.  We saw mainly families at STEM Launch.  At Northglenn High, there were mostly newcomer students accessing resources.   For those students, being able to have access to food at school to help their families has been extremely helpful and empowering. It was a joy to see their faces as they discovered new foods and products to take home.  

What are some challenges that families with students face during the summer months?

The biggest challenge that students and families face during the summer is finding affordable childcare so that parents can work. Parents struggle to afford childcare, and when they can’t, it’s unclear what type of care is being received. Additionally, summer brings more expenses and challenges around food, bills, and entertainment. 

In what way do you see Food for Hope food banks supporting these families?

I am amazed, thankful, and in awe hearing about how Food for Hope started and where it is now. I can’t wait to see how far Food for Hope will go in the future. It’s a noble cause putting effort into making sure kids get fed. I come from a place where I have seen the effects of poverty - where people don’t know how and what they will eat the following day. I remember growing up with those struggling families, and now, I wonder what their lives would have been like if there was a place like Food for Hope where people could go and get that basic need met?  Being accessible and culturally relevant is so important, and Food for Hope does that. Food for Hope is a wonderful organization and I pray that it keeps on growing. The more Food for Hope succeeds, the more people they can help, and that is beautiful!

Food for Hope - Mythbusters

Here at Food for Hope, we love to be in the community and connect with as many people as possible. As we share our mission, we have heard a lot of common misconceptions about how things operate behind the scenes at a nonprofit organization. I thought I would take this opportunity to pull back the curtain and bust some of the most frequently heard myths!

Myth #1: Food for Hope is mostly funded by the government. 

Food for Hope receives funding from several different sources, and the government is not one of our primary contributors.  Many people are surprised that almost half of our overall funding currently comes from local individuals and businesses.  We are not exaggerating when we tell members of the community that their contributions are vital to what we do!  The next greatest sources of funding are grants. I currently work with our grant writer to write at least 30 grants a year from various local and regional foundations. Grants are never guaranteed, and sometimes you spend many hours working on an application that results in no additional funds.  Food for Hope also hosts fundraising events and community activities like our annual Gala, Bike N Brew, and the Perfect Pairing events. These events are always encouraging and fun, but serve mainly as an opportunity to share our mission with the community, and are not a primary source of the money we need to operate.  Finally, Food for Hope does utilize some government funding, and the available amount increased for the last few years due to COVID response initiatives. However, these resources are going away and will not be a reliable source in the coming years. As our organization grows, it is a formidable challenge to continue to expand our sources of funding and provide a solid foundation for operational expansion to help more children in need!  If you or your business would like to partner with us, please visit our website https://foodforhope.net/donate.

Myth #2: All of the food that Food for Hope distributes is donated or able to be purchased at a discounted price.

Many people understandably assume that hunger relief organizations can get most of the food they distribute for free or at a very low cost.  This may be true for some nonprofits, but unfortunately, it is not the case for Food for Hope.  On an average week during the school year, Food for Hope distributes several thousand pounds of food through our various programs.  Due to the diverse nature of the communities we serve and our focus on students, we try to be very intentional about sourcing quality items that are healthy and culturally sensitive.  All of these factors together mean that we cannot rely solely on donated food to meet the needs of our programs.  In fact food is currently the largest expense in our overall operational budget.  Food for Hope orders food from the Food Bank of the Rockies and those items are discounted from prices you would find in the grocery store. However, the quantity we order means the cost is still significant.  Any food items that we cannot source from the Food Bank of the Rockies, we purchase from other vendors like Costco, East Denver Food Hub, and Barber’s Foods.  We are very thankful to receive food donations from local community partners like We Don’t Waste, and some food vendors such as Bimbo Bakeries.  However, donated food only makes up only 15% of what we use overall.

Myth #3: Many people take advantage of Food for Hope’s resources when they don’t really need them.

Unfortunately, as with any community resource, you do have people who abuse the system and take things that they don’t truly need.  It's unfortunate that this is the case, and can lead to people becoming cynical about the purpose of nonprofit organizations as a whole.  However, after working in this field for 10 years, I can attest that those taking advantage of resources are very few, and don't encompass the vast majority of families. Most of the students and families we’ve encountered truly value the resources provided to them, and they have a tremendous amount of dignity in not using a program when they don’t need it anymore.  Last year, there was a mom who came to one of our food banks regularly. Shortly after, we went a period of time without seeing her.  When she returned, we offered to check her in to shop but she kindly refused. She had only come back to bring two friends whose families were struggling and needed nutritional support.  This example is far more in line with what we see as we get to know the families we serve.  We hope that others will see the beauty in giving families who are hurting a hand up when they need it most.

If you have any other questions about what goes on behind the scenes at Food for Hope, send me an email and I'll consider featuring it in a future blog post! Email me at emily@foodforhope.net

Consider supporting Food for Hope’s mission to help us source nutritious foods, enabling us to expand our operations and serve even more students and families facing food insecurity in our community   https://foodforhope.net/donate

Addressing Food Insecurity: Thornton, CO Takes Action

Running a race alone is daunting but taking it on with someone you know can make the challenge feel less overwhelming.  This analogy rings true for nonprofit leaders and organizations too.  Although we are working to alleviate an issue that may truly never be completely resolved, collaboration enables us to recognize the victories and fosters a collective sense of hope, propelling us forward in our missions.

At the end of March, the City of Thornton brought together leaders from various food banks and organizations to share how they are addressing the growing need for nutritional support in our community. The meeting provided an opportunity for all of us to collaborate, share insights, and explore strategies to better support each other and the community in addressing food insecurity.

Food insecurity is a term that is used a lot, but what does it actually mean? Food insecurity is defined as the lack of access to a consistent supply of nutritious food necessary for maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle and remains a pressing concern in Thornton and across the entire state of Colorado. One in five children in Adams County is experiencing uncertainty about when or if they will receive their next meal.  Despite being a vibrant and growing community, many individuals and families in our area struggle to put food on the table due to a variety of factors, including low wages, unemployment, illness, high living costs, and limited access to affordable, healthy food options.

Although there are many challenges that nonprofits face in today’s economy, I walked away feeling encouraged to hear about all of the great work being done to help those in our city who are struggling.  This meeting reinforced my belief that the mission of hunger relief cannot be accomplished alone.  Organizations should work to find and serve in their area of strength, but we also need the support of our cities, businesses, faith communities, clubs, and organizations to help us succeed in what we are trying to achieve. The City of Thornton is leading the way by making an effort to connect its nonprofit leaders, and I am optimistic that this collaboration will only strengthen our overall impact as we move forward.

To learn more about the mission of Food for Hope and the organization’s impact, visit our website: https://foodforhope.net/impact.

From Vision to Reality: How Food for Hope Transformed Hunger Relief in Adams County

Food for Hope began in 2014 when ThornCreek Church and Thornton Mayor Heidi Williams decided to take action in their community against the rising issue of hunger. The vision was to be a dynamic partnership with the City of Thornton, Adams County school districts, people of all faiths and walks of life, businesses, and residents. They wanted to have a weekend food program that distributed healthy food, specifically for children who were reliant upon receiving free and reduced meals at school. The program would be funded by organizations and ordinary people who simply cared about children.

In May 2014, Emily Stromquist was brought in to be the Executive Director of their effort. In early 2015, Food for Hope became an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Since then, Food for Hope has been consistently moving forward - pursuing financial sponsorship and healthy food donations to further its mission. Over the years, Food for Hope has expanded services to include Weekend Food Bags, School Fuel Snacks, and In-School Food Banks. This model is different from other food assistance models as it is centered around school district partnership, and working with social work teams to identify and serve children who are suffering most from food insecurity.  Currently, Food for Hope operates 7 food banks that provide both fresh and shelf-stable food, including Adams 14 Hope Center, 27J Brighton Family Resource Center, Pinnacle Charter School, Shadow Ridge Middle School, McElwain Elementary, STEM Launch, and Northglenn High School. The Weekend Food Bag & School Fuel Snack programs ensure that children get the proper nutrition they need to learn, grow, and thrive at school. Food For Hope continues to empower and strengthen the future of our communities by providing vital nutrition to children in need throughout Adams County.

To learn more about the mission of Food for Hope and the organization’s impact, visit our website: https://foodforhope.net/impact.