Red

Red explained to us that sometimes during the month food runs low. After the bills are paid, there's not much money left for basic necessities like food. "It’s really helpful to come to a place like this pantry. Fresh food is what I can’t afford, so I can get it here. I've worked since I was 12 and due to physical problems, I can’t work anymore. SSI isn’t enough to afford everything I need to survive."

Grainger Steps Up to the Plate in a Major Way

The Grainger Foundation donated $55,000 to the Food Bank of the Rockies this past weekend in support of its mission to provide food supplies to more than 1,100 hunger-relief programs throughout Colorado. Each $1 donation to Food Bank of the Rockies provides four meals. This grant will help supply 220,000 meals for Coloradoans in need! The donation was recommended by Robert Rogers, Randy Kopp, and Joel Hicks, Branch Managers of W.W. Grainger, Inc.’s Denver-area locations. Rogers, Kopp and Hicks presented the donation to the Food Bank of the Rockies as part of a check presentation ceremony at FBR on Saturday.

As if $55,000 wasn't enough, Grainger arrived at FBR on Saturday with 60 volunteers in tow. They cleaned, organized and boxed food. A tremendous amount of work was accomplished thanks to their generosity of time! Grainger has been a part of the Denver business community for 60 years as the leading broad line supplier of facilities maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products. “We are proud to recommend the programs offered by Food Bank of the Rockies,” said Rogers. “We recognize the important role the food bank plays in assisting hungry families across Colorado.”

Hats off to Grainger for their outstanding example of what one company can do to make a difference in their community. We appreciate each and every one of you and all you do to fight hunger and feed hope!

Easter Eggcitement at FBR

You can tell it’s spring time at the food bank when the Easter Bunny pays a visit and the warehouse fills with eggs. Colorado Egg farmers are filling tummies with nutritious eggs in what’s becoming an annual tradition.

This year, the Colorado Egg Producers (CEP) Association donated nearly 325,000 eggs to food banks throughout Colorado, including 140,000 to Food Bank of the Rockies. The Easter Bunny made a special appearance at FBR, entertaining children and partner agencies who came to pick up their Easter eggs. The CEP team cooked and served free omelets to all the families, guests and organizations in attendance. "The Colorado Egg Producers Association is thrilled to be involved with such a truly great event," said Jerry Wilkins of the Colorado Egg Producers. "As egg farmers, we feel it is important for us to provide eggs to those in need, especially during these tough economic times. Every Colorado family deserves to have eggs for the Easter holiday."

We send out a big Thank You to our local egg producers for their generous donation and to the Easter Bunny for stopping by on his busiest week of the year. We appreciate you!

Arturo

Arturo and his wife are here from Chile working with the poor in NW Denver. He has a small salary that doesn’t stretch as far as it used to. “We get our food mostly from whatever is available at the local food pantry. The food in the grocery store is too expensive. I am diabetic, so I need to be eating healthy foods. I rarely buy anything from the store because the prices keep getting higher. With the help of the food pantry, we can eat much better.”

A Visit From the Senator

FBR has been honored to host many politicians over the past few years. Most recently, we were given the opportunity to tour Senator Udall around our facility, explaining the nuts and bolts of what we do to fight hunger in our community. The Senator was a pleasure to spend time with and took a very genuine interest in our operations and the problem of hunger in Colorado. In conjunction with his visit, Target representatives presented FBR with a check for $2,500 to assist in our mission of fighting hunger and feeding hope. Target has been a valued donor of ours for years and continues to step up to the plate time and time again. THANK YOU to Senator Udall and Target for all you do to make a difference in our communities.

We Turn Our Heads Away

The intent of these photos is to capture the emotion and story of those living on the streets in the Capital Hill neighborhood of Denver. Every day these people put aside their dignity and beg for help. Without prompting for any special poses or postures, these photos give a glimpse into their lives. These photographs give us a chance to look into their eyes, when our usual reaction is to turn our heads away.

Photographer: Joel Rafferty

Our Challenge Champions Stepping Up to the Plate

As you might know, we're knee deep in The Biggest Loser's Pound for Pound Challenge on a local level. As a food bank, we're in fourth place nationally for pounds pledged and funds raised! Not bad huh? It's our goal to stay in the top three, so ask your friends and family to get on board!

Our Challenge Champions, Rod Smith, Susie Wargin and Mix 100's Dom and Jane recently met us at Image AV to record a radio PSA that will air on Mix 100. Dr. James Rouse will join the group in the coming month when his schedule frees up. Below are samplings of what these pro's recorded. It has been a pleasure working with each of them! Visit our Pound for Pound Challenge blog for exciting PFP Challenge updates!