Faces of Hunger Photo Exhibit

When we partnered with Denver Magazine, FOX 31 and The Deuce for our Faces of Hunger Photo Contest, we anticipated a hand-full of photographs depicting hunger in Colorado. We hoped the contest would bring to light an issue many of our neighbors don't associate with on a local level. We did not anticipate the huge success this campaign was and continues to be.

The gallery event took place on September 2nd at Fat Tail Gallery and turned out to be an amazing evening for raising awareness regarding the issue of hunger in Colorado. 23 submitted photos were enlarged, courtesy of Fineline Graphics, and displayed on a huge white wall for guests to view as they entered the gallery. Many of the photographers and their friends and family were able to join us and see their work displayed. Katie Lienert and Joe Morahan were voted winners for the amateur and professional categories and are featured in the September issue of Denver Magazine (http://www.denvermagazine.com/). Special thanks to all our event sponsors for making the night a huge success....Denver Magazine, Fat Tail Gallery, FOX 31, Sir Chocolate, Mortons The Steakhouse, Barefoot Wines, Vitamin Water, Fromage to Yours and Fineline Graphics.

Sir Chocolate was a very popular table for our guests.

Michael & Wendy Ledwitz & FOX's Shaul Turner spoke about their involvement with the campaign.

A sampling of the photographers who submitted photos for the contest.

Denver Mag, FOX 31, Fat Tail and FBR joined together in making the evening a huge success!

Morton's donated fabulous food for our guests.

Fat Tail also donated their outstanding space for the event.

Wine & water were served, courtesy of Barefoot Wines & Vitamin Water.

The photo contest is complete, but the efforts of our partners continue. Denver Magazine continues to partner with us through other promotions and event support and FOX 31 remains a steady force in the fight against hunger. Due to their continuous coverage of FBR, our food and fund drives have more than doubled, compared to this time last year. The community heard the call to action and responded in force! What can we say...THANK YOU for everyone who contributed to the Faces of Hunger Campaign! Stay tuned to FOX 31 for ongoing coverage of faces of hunger in our community.

$5000 for Colorado Kids

The Ahbe Group and Safeco Insurance recently stopped by to present a check for $5000 for FBR's children's programs. Greg Ahbe of The Ahbe Group had nominated Food Bank of the Rockies for a grant through Safeco’s Agent Giving Program and we were fortunate enough to be chosen as a recipient for that grant program.

“Safeco supports Food Bank of the Rockies’ mission of fighting hunger, especially in this difficult time for so many families in our area,” said Greg Ahbe. “This grant to Food Bank of the Rockies is another way Safeco and The Ahbe Group work to support this community”.

For the last eight years, Greg Ahbe of The Ahbe Group has been on the advisory board of our Joe Sakic Celebrity Classic events. “Safeco is proud to provide this grant to the Food Bank of the Rockies and help their efforts to fight hunger,” said Claudette Kenmir, Safeco Insurance.

THANKS to The Ahbe Group and Safeco for this much needed gift! It was a pleasure hosting you and accepting your generous donation.

Ruth

5 years ago, Ruth came to Colorado from Mexico with her husband and 5 children. The violence in Mexico threatened their safety and they wanted a better life for their children. A fresh start. She found a local food pantry to help them keep food on the table and decided to give back by volunteering at the pantry while her husband works as a full time painter. As long as they need help to stay afloat, she wants to give back.

An Action Packed Monday at FBR

August 3 was a busy day around FBR. In the morning we greeted FOX 31 at Rudy Recreation Center for a visit from Papa John of Papa John's Pizza. John donated pizza for over 150 kids and handed out gift cards for their families. A few hours later we were graced by a visit from Governor Bill Ritter & Lt. Governor Barbara O'Brien. The Governor wanted to promote volunteerism in Denver and chose FBR as a charity where volunteers are so greatly valued and needed. While here, Governor Ritter, Lt. Governor O'Brien and Papa John packed boxes for 2 local food pantries and spoke to staff, volunteers and media about volunteerism and the great need in our state.

It was a pleasure meeting these individuals and hosting them for the morning's events. If you're interested in volunteering at FBR, please contact Olive at 303.371.9250.

Janie tours our guests through the warehouse.

The Governor speaks to the crowd.

Gov. Ritter and Lt. Governor O'Brien pack food boxes.

Hanging With Sea Lions

For the past couple months, FOX 31 and 2 The Deuce have been going above the call of duty for the sake of fighting hunger. Shaul Turner of FOX 31 has a heart for those less fortunate in Colorado and has made it her mission to get the community on board their Faces of Hunger Campaign, benefiting FBR. Her success has been outstanding! We've had more than double the amount of food/fund drives than is typical for this time of year and the phones keep ringing with corporations, non-profits and individuals wanting to do their part to feed our neighbors in need.

Last week, we were fortunate enough to be invited to Elitches for a morning TV shot with Shaul and Elitches summer show - 4 rowdy, entertaining sea lions. Janie and I spoke about the need and how far $1 goes through FBR and ended our morning with sea lion smooches. Not how we expected to spend the morning! Special thanks to Elitches for including us in your special promotion. We received over 1,000 pounds of food and over $400 in one day, due to your generosity and creativity. We value your partnership!

And to FOX 31, Shaul and 2 The Deuce, THANK YOU for dedicating so much valuable air time and personal time toward fighting hunger in Colorado. We're incredibly grateful for all you do!

Daniel

Hunger is so often an invisible problem. This is especially evident in the eyes of a child. You can see the joy in Daniel's eyes, despite the fact that his family doesn't always know where their next meal will come from. The bad things don't seem so bad to Daniel - he loves the fact that he can get doughnuts and play at the local church pantry. Daniel's parents both work. Every day. But they don't make enough to make ends meet for Daniel and his siblings. The local food pantry is their lifeline for food, fellowship and programs for the kids.

A Major Goal Accomplished!

When Food Bank of the Rockies moved into our current facility in 2006, we knew the need for food assistance was increasing. Expansion was necessary if we were to continue nourishing those less fortunate in our community. We're honored to announce very exciting news. We have wrapped up our 2009 fiscal year and due to contributions of time, talent and resources, the tireless work of our staff, board and many volunteers and the incredible generosity of this community, Food Bank of the Rockies has met the goals of our capital campaign and will start the new fiscal year with our building paid in full!

We are extremely grateful to everyone who contributed to the campaign – thank you! Your donations and efforts allowed us to leverage the entire $1.15 million in challenge grants made to us by our generous friends at the Boettcher, Gates Family and Kresge Foundations.

FBR's Janie with Scott and Peggy Shreeve

FBR Board Chair Dick Treich and fellow board members Uly Williams and Mark Boshoven

While we cannot begin to appropriately thank everyone who contributed, we do want to mention some very special people who went above-and-beyond efforts in making our campaign a success. In particular, please join us in thanking our campaign chair, John Strohm, who brought wonderful leadership and energy to the campaign and our honorary chair, Bob Slosky, for his wise counsel. We would also like to recognize Gary Magness and family for providing the lead gift for the campaign, Bruce Etkin, without whom this move would not have been possible and finally, our Board of Directors for their support and commitment to the campaign.

Bob and Carole Slosky

Food Bank of the Rockies’ staff also deserves special recognition. While moving tens of millions of pounds of food annually to meet the need of our neighbors struggling, they also helped build a foundation to allow us to continue fighting hunger in the future. The staff is the driving force of this organization. In particular, we would like to recognize the efforts of our recently retired Vice President of Development, Barbara Arko, who provided us with great leadership and vision throughout the campaign. This 6.3 million dollar campaign was the pinnacle of her fundraising career, which spanned over two decades at FBR.

Barbara and Glen Arko

FBR's Craig, Kim and Kim's daughter Mikaela.

FBR Staff Donna, Amanda, Sean, Theron & Kristina.

These small, heartfelt and simple words say volumes and are delivered humbly to each and everyone who has helped us reach this goal - thank you and congratulations!