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
Can You Help Little Clem Get a Liftgate?
We're excited to introduce you to our newest team member — Little Clem, our new refrigerated truck! Little Clem is here to help us move fresh food farther and faster to the students and families we serve across Adams County.
There's just one thing standing in his way: a liftgate. Without it, loading and unloading fresh produce is slow and physically demanding for our team. With it, we can deliver more fresh food, more efficiently, to the 40+ schools we support each week.
That's why we're launching a 30-day campaign to raise $12,000 — enough to get Little Clem fully equipped and on the road.
We'd love for you to be part of it. Whether it's a gift, a share on social media, or simply spreading the word, every bit of support helps Little Clem get the lift he needs.
Community Connections
These community partners helped fill our shelves over July and August:
Snooze: 6 year Anniversary - $1446
City of Thornton: Thornton Youth Volunteer Core - 674 lbs (King Soopers Food Drive)
Eastlake Rail Yard Events - $2000
Amazon Meal Kits: 240 Meal Kits
Church 8025 Meal Kits: 40 Meal Kits
Thorncreek Church: 148 lbs
Good Shepherd United Methodist Church: 175 lbs (Monthly Food Drive)
It's Back-to-School Food Drive Time!
As students head back to school, Food for Hope is stocking our In-School Food Pantries with essentials like cereal, snacks, canned fruit, strawberry jam, and more!
Businesses, schools, neighborhoods, and community groups can help by hosting a Back-to-School Food Drive or participating through our Virtual Food Drive.
We provide collection bins, flyers, fun themes, and resources to make it easy!
Help us fill the shelves and nourish local students and families!
Email Tiffany@foodforhope.net for next steps!
What’s Happening at Food for Hope?
NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER:
Looking for a fun summer outing? Visit the People + Produce Farmers Market at Carpenter Park in Thornton on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays through September from 5:00–8:00 PM. Enjoy fresh produce, local vendors, artisan foods, live music, and the popular Farm Bar.
Best of all, a portion of adult beverage sales from the Farm Bar supports Food for Hope, helping provide food assistance to local students and families. Come shop local, enjoy the community, and support a great cause!
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2026, 3pm-6pm:
Get ready for the 4th Annual Thornton Bike n Brew on Saturday, September 26 from 3pm-7pm! Starting and ending at Satire Brewing in Thornton, right next to the Food for Hope office, this year's Oktoberfest-themed celebration is shaping up to be our best yet. Enjoy a scenic ride, connect with local businesses, enter exciting giveaways, relax with Octoberfest Themed cold drinks and delicious food as well as enter the SteinHolding Competition (6pm). Stick around after the ride for live 90's alternative music from The Crossfades, a local Denver favorite starting at 7pm. Help us raise $15,000 to support 3,000 local students!
The School Year is Here, and it's the perfect time to help Food for Hope grow our impact through our Fresh Hope, Fresh Starts initiative!
As we kick off a new school year, we're looking to connect with local businesses, community groups, faith organizations, and individuals who are passionate about ensuring students and families have access to healthy food.
You can help by introducing Food for Hope to potential partners, sponsors, volunteers, or donors in your network.A simple conversation or email introduction can create new opportunities to support local families throughout the year.
You can also amplify our mission by sharing our newsletter, website, and social media posts, and by leaving a Google Review. Every connection, share, and review helps bring Fresh Hope and Fresh Starts to more students and families across our community.
Links are below — Follow Us & Share!
