Holiday Light Show to Fight Hunger

Arvada residents, Tom and Ed, are hosting their 5th Annual Holiday Light Display through January 7, 2011.  37,000 computer controlled holiday lights adorn their yard, trees, roof...you get the idea!  This display is one that lights up the neighborhood and people's hearts as they take in the views and sounds of the season.  Two 30 minute shows play on alternate nights and can be heard through 106.3 fm from the comfort of your car.


For the third year running, Tom and Ed are accepting donations in a box outside their home with the proceeds benefiting Food Bank of the Rockies.  “The entire project is very labor intensive, but when we see the finished product, it’s all worth it. And when we look out the window and see the traffic and the eager faces of children with eyes as big as saucers, it gives us a nice warm feeling. In 2008 we decided that it would be an excellent idea to take donations for Food Bank of the Rockies.” Over the past two years, Ed and Tom’s visitors have raised over $7,300 to benefit FBR!

If you're in the neighborhood, or even if you're not, head over to Tom and Ed's house and check out how these Coloradans are using their talents and passion to fight hunger and feed hope.     

When:  November 25 through Friday, January 7, 2011. Weeknights from 5:00pm-10:00pm and weekends from 5:00pm – 11:00pm.

Where:  12177 W 58th Place, Arvada 80004

Saddle Up and Give Hunger the Boot

The 17th Annual Network for the Needy Luncheon took place this past month.  We look forward to this event each and every year!  Network for the Needy is sponsored by the Meetings Industry Council of Colorado and is comprised of a group of  dedicated and compassionate  individuals from the hospitality industry who work together to create a delightful experience complete with delicious food, fun and original entertainment. Everything is donated, so 100% of the proceeds benefit Food Bank of the Rockies and its Denver's Table program.


Chefs from local hotels and restaurants put their best 'food' forward at this year's event.  Each participating restaurant tempted over 550 meeting, event and conference planners from around the Rocky Mountain Region with their appealing appetizers, exquisite entrees and delectable desserts.  Chefs also had the opportunity to compete for the best appetizer, entree and dessert prior to the main event. Our volunteer culinary judges chose the winning creations and their picks were announced during the program.


Nearly $20,000 was donated to FBR as a result of this year's "Give Hunger the Boot!" event!  That equates to almost 80,000 meals to our neighbors in need.  THANKS to everyone involved in making this event another outstanding success!

 This room was bustling with hospitality folks sampling gourmet cuisine options.  

 Each restaurant set up their own unique booth display.

 How could one resist these delectable cookies?

 FBR's, Jose, was appropriately dressed for the Western theme.

 A group of dancers provided entertainment for the crowd. 

 THE BIG CHECK! 

 Special thanks to the entire Network for the Needy committee!  This event is a success because of your time and efforts. 

 Each year, a student designs the image that is imprinted on the awards.  This year's winner is being presented with her special plate!

 Reggie shows off the artwork of our talented winner!

One of our winning restaurants is presented with their award. 

State of Hunger

FBR held a "State of Hunger" press conference yesterday at the Colorado Nonprofit Association to address hunger on national and local levels.  Panelists included Feeding America's, Eric Davis, Hunger Free Colorado's, Kathy Underhill, FBR's Kevin Seggelke and His Hands Christina Ministries, Johnny Davis.  Each panelist spoke about their organization's challenges and discussed the reality of growing demand for food assistance.  The Denver Post was a part of the conference and featured a front page story this morning.   

Denver and the West

Colo. Food Banks See "Staggering" Increase in Need

By Colleen O'Connor
The Denver Post
11/18/2010
Colo. Food Banks See "Staggering" Increase in Need -
Colorado's five major food banks distributed more than 76 million pounds of food throughout the state last year, a 25 percent increase over the previous year, and experts expect worse to come.  "Already, this fiscal year . . . is on pace for another 7 to 10 percent increase over the prior year, which makes that a 32 to 35 percent increase over a two-year time period," said Kevin Seggelke, president and chief executive of Food Bank of the Rockies. "That's just a staggering number.
 
Read the rest of the Denver Post's article here.

Morgan Stanley Fills the Plates of Colorado Kids

This past Friday, local Morgan Stanley employees teamed up with FBR to fill over 100 Totes of Hope ™ for local kids in need and distributed the totes to children at Love Christian in Denver as they headed home for the weekend.


This volunteer effort comes as the financial services firm recently launched 'Fill the Plate,' a $5 million commitment to combat child hunger during weekends and after-school hours in Colorado and around the country. FBR will receive a generous gift of $120,000 over the next two years as a result of this dedicated effort!!!

While more than 200,000 children in our service area receive free or reduced-priced meals through the National School Lunch Program, there are no targeted federal resources to supply meals to these children during the weekends. Our Totes of Hope™ program provides an innovative solution to this problem: backpacks filled with shelf-stable, nutritious food for children to take home when the weekend arrives. These free backpacks contain about nine pounds of wholesome food children can prepare themselves if necessary.

We applaud Morgan Stanley for making a positive impact for Denver-area children in need in the areas of hunger relief and obesity!  Your generosity will certainly go a very long way in the lives of these kids.