As we welcome the 2026–27 school year, we are excited to introduce a new theme that captures what we hope to bring to every student and family we serve: Fresh Hope, Fresh Starts.
A new school year brings new backpacks, new classrooms, new teachers, new goals—and for many families, new challenges. At Food for Hope, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to begin the school year with the food and support they need to learn, grow, and thrive. Fresh Hope, Fresh Starts is about more than fresh food; it is about creating opportunity, strengthening families, and reminding our community that no one has to face food insecurity alone.
We are already seeing the need firsthand. As the school year gets underway, traffic at the Adams 14 Hope Center Food Pantry has greatly increased, with more families coming through the doors for fresh and nutritious food to help stock their kitchens and support their households. To improve accessibility, we are also adding an additional day of open hours at our Mapleton Wolverine Den pantry. These are powerful reminders that our work matters—and that our community's support is needed now more than ever.
And speaking of fresh starts, Little Clem needs a little lift! Our new refrigerated truck, Little Clem, is already helping us transport fresh food to local schools. Unlike our larger truck, Little Clem does not have a lift gate. Adding a lift gate will make loading and unloading food much safer and easier for our volunteers while allowing us to get even more fresh food where it is needed. We are excited to invite our community to help Lift Up Little Clem and give this little truck the lift it needs!
This month, we are also bringing our core volunteers together to reconnect, launch new ideas, and prepare for the year ahead. Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, and these conversations help us make sure we are working together, listening, improving, and creating the best possible experience for the students and families we serve.
Finally, don't forget to grab your spot at Bike N Brew (Saturday September 26 from 3pm-6pm) for a fun Oktoberfest-themed day filled with a community bike ride, great connections, live music, and a stein-holding competition! Grab your family, bring your friends, and come enjoy a day of community, laughter, and support for Food for Hope. We would love to see you there!
As we begin another school year, thank you for helping us create Fresh Hope, Fresh Starts for the students and families in our community. Every volunteer, donor, partner, and supporter plays a part in making sure that when a family needs help, Food for Hope is there.
Here’s to a fresh school year, fresh food, fresh opportunities—and fresh hope for the year ahead.
Warmly,
Emily Stromquist, Executive Director
emily@foodforhope.net