September 9th, 2008 - Weld Food Bank Receives Daniels Fund Grant
August 15th, 2008 - Tornado Relief Food Distribution Rescheduled
June 6th, 2008 - Vickie Escarra, President and Chief Executive Officer of America’s Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Bank Network, recently visited the Weld Food Bank to discuss local hunger issues
June 2nd, 2008 - HoneyBaked Ham Company Donates 525 Hams to the Weld Food Bank to Aid Tornado Victims
June 2nd, 2008 - Chrysler LLC Lends Support to Northern Colorado Communities Affected by Severe Tornado Damage
May 29th, 2008 - Aurora Organic Dairy Announces Partnership with Weld Food Bank to provide regular donations
May 27th, 2008 - Food to be Distributed in South Weld County for Tornado Victims
May 23rd, 2008 - Additional food distribution to Windsor tornado victims
May 8, 2008 - Competing Companies Raise $20,000 to Fight Hunger
April 30, 2008 - Weld Food Bank receives grant through 'American Idol'
December 7th, 2007 - Ft. Lupton Middle School students volunteer at Weld Food Bank
WELD FOOD BANK RECEIVES DANIELS FUND GRANT
Food Bank Receives $50K for General Operating Purposes
September 9, 2008 – Weld Food Bank announced today that it has received a $50,000 Daniels Fund grant to support its efforts to provide hunger relief to record levels of low-income Weld County residents.
“This generous grant will enable the food bank to better meet the ongoing demand for high quality and nutritious food that is so important to those in need of hunger relief in our communities,” said Leona Martens, executive director at the food bank.
The Daniels Fund operates the Daniels College Prep and Scholarship Program and the Daniels Fund Grants Program in Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Utah. The Fund was established in 1997 by Bill Daniels, a pioneer in cable television, known for his kindness and generosity to those in need. Visit www.ddanielsfund.org for more information.
Started in 1982, Weld Food Bank is a fully functional 35,000 square foot warehouse that collects, stores, and distributes food through 118 partner agencies and through four direct service programs: Kid’s Cafe, the Backpack Program, CSFP (commodities surplus program) and Emergency Food Boxes.
Weld Food Bank strives to reduce hunger in all of Weld County, In Fiscal Year 2007-08, the food bank distributed 6.8 million pounds of food to low-income individuals including single-parent families, the working poor, older adults, the unemployed, youth in crisis, the disabled and the homeless. Nearly half of those served are children.
A member of Feeding America, Weld Food Bank can distribute $10 worth of food for every dollar donated. Donations are accepted Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm at 1108 H Street in Greeley.
Tornado Relief Food Distribution Rescheduled
Inclement weather forces food distribution end early!
August 15, 2008 – Due to extreme weather in Windsor on Thursday, Weld Food Bank was forced to end its food distribution to those affected by the May 22nd tornado, leaving earlier than anticipated. Sixty seven families received food before the lightening, hail and torrential rain made it no longer safe to be in the parking lot at the Cornerstone Baptist Church.
More than a hundred people were waiting in line when Weld Food Bank trucks rolled into the parking lot at 4:30 on Thursday. In one hour, WFB distributed 6,500 pounds of fresh, frozen and non-perishable food to nearly 251 storm-impacted individuals. Wind, hail and rain drove the crowds away and sent the food bank staff into a flurry of activity after the last recipient was served.
Because we were not able to continue our distribution as planned Weld Food Bank will return to Windsor on:
Thursday, August 28th
4:30 – 6 30pm
Cornerstone Baptist Church
1200 Cornerstone Dr., Windsor
The upcoming food distribution is specifically designated for those who did not receive food on August 14. Recipients may bring their unused referral slips, or a referral slip from any area agency they are currently working with.
Slips are also available from:
- United Way of Weld County – 814 9th Ave, Greeley
- Colorado Spirit – Holy Cross Church, 1450 Westwood Drive, Windsor
- Any type of FEMA letter addressed to you
If you were seriously impacted by the storm and are unable to attend the food distribution, someone else can pick up food for you if you give them one of the above documents.
Additional food resources will be available at future times and will be posted at WFB web site www.weldfoodbank.org
On behalf of the donors, the community and its many volunteers, Weld Food Bank hopes this food will help with area residents’ long term recovery in some small way.
Martens Attends Congressional Meetings in Washington.
Food Bank Executive Invited to Meet with Senator Harry Reid
July 11, 2008 - Leona Martens, Executive Director of Weld Food Bank, attended congressional meetings in Washington, D.C. on July 8 as the guest of the National Commodity Supplemental Food Program Association. Discussions with legislators focused on how the Federal nutrition programs are impacted by the increased price of food and fuel. The NCFSPA sponsored participants from Detroit, MI, San Francisco, CA and Greeley, CO. Leona was one of two participants invited to meet with Senator Harry Reid.
The CSFP (Commodity Supplemental Food Program) is a nutrition program that provides monthly supplemental food packages to income eligible seniors over 60, to children under 6, and to pregnant and post-partum women. The CSFP is authorized in the Farm Bill, funded through the Agricultural Appropriations Subcommittee and is administered by USDA. Locally, Weld Food Bank administers the program, serving approximately 5,000 residents in Weld County.
Vickie Escarra, President and Chief Executive Officer of America’s Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Bank Network, recently visited the Weld Food Bank to discuss local hunger issues
June 6, 2008 - Vickie Escarra, President and Chief Executive Officer of America’s Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Bank Network, recently visited the Weld Food Bank to discuss local hunger issues. Weld Food Bank has been an affiliate member of Second Harvest since 1988 and is the first of Colorado’s five food banks to be visited by Escarra.
As leader of the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization with more than 200 food banks and food-rescue organizations in its membership around the country, Escarra has sought to increase the amount of food available to hungry people by enhancing donor relationships with corporate America, government partners and individuals. In her short time as President and CEO, Escarra has launched the development of a new strategic plan, brought new corporate partners into the organization and heightened the visibility of the organization.
“It was an honor to have Vickie see first hand an agricultural viewpoint of the hunger issues in Weld County”, said Leona Martens, Executive Director of Weld Food Bank. “It was very beneficial for her to experience how a small rural food bank addresses hunger in our own area.”
During her visit, Escarra met with community leaders including the County Commissioners, Community Foundation President Judy Knapp, City Council Member Pam Shadduck and others. She met with individual Weld Food Bank staff members to discuss local child feeding programs, support of its 116 partner agencies, food acquisition issues and other issues surrounding hunger.
HoneyBaked Ham Company Donates 525 Hams to the Weld Food Bank to Aid Tornado Victims
June 2, 2008 - In an effort to aid the victims of the tornado that swept through Northern Colorado on May 22, the HoneyBaked Ham Company will donate 525 Half Hams to the Weld Food Bank on Tuesday, June 3. Approximately 4,059 lbs. of meat will be donated to be distributed to those in emergency situations.
The Food Bank’s warehouse was in need of replenishing prior to the tornado due simply to increasing demand as a result of rising food and fuel costs. Following the tornado last week, and the ensuing massive on-site food distributions to victims, there remains a critical need for restocking. HoneyBaked’s donation will be distributed to those displaced or otherwise affected by the tornado in the Gilcrest, Greeley, Johnstown, Milliken, Platteville and Windsor areas as well as to others in emergency situations. Donations are coming from the eight stores in the Denver area.
“This donation from HoneyBaked Ham aids the Food Bank in its continued distribution of nutritious, high quality foods to those most vulnerable at this difficult time. Protein is very hard to come by so this is especially appreciated,” noted Karyl Pierpont, Resource Development Director for the Weld Food Bank.
“With this donation, HoneyBaked Ham would like to assist the families affected by the storm in getting their lives back together, and we encourage other companies and individuals to do the same,” said Michelle Johanning, District Manager for HBH. “Being good citizens in the communities in which we operate has always been a part of our values. When members of our community have been struck with such a devastating loss, we want to let them know that we care.”
Chrysler LLC Lends Support to Northern Colorado Communities Affected by Severe Tornado Damage
June 2, 2008 - The Chrysler LLC Denver Business Center has donated $25,000, on behalf of The Chrysler Foundation, to the Weld Food Bank in support of relief efforts for residents affected by a severe tornado that hit multiple Weld County communities including Windsor and Greeley, on May 22. This contribution will be used by the organization to distribute emergency food supplies to those affected by the recent natural disaster.
“The Chrysler Foundation is proud to partner with the Weld Food Bank to help the citizens of Weld County whose lives have been devastated by this recent tornado,” Brian Glowiak, Vice President – The Chrysler Foundation, said. “Our contribution will support the ongoing distribution of emergency supplies that are desperately needed following this disaster.”
The Denver Business Center and local Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge dealers sought support from The Chrysler Foundation when northern Colorado was hit by the tornado.
Leona Martens, Executive Director of Weld Food Bank stated, “We made our first delivery of food to the Red Cross Shelter in Windsor several hours after the tornado hit. Since then, we’ve repeatedly had our trucks in damaged communities doing massive food distributions to victims of these storms. We are doing a daily assessment of ongoing needs. This very generous support from Chrysler will allow us to continue assistance long into the recovery process and to assist others in emergency situations.”
Although the Weld Food Bank’s primary mission is to support the emergency response of its partner agencies, this disaster required a far greater response than the smaller agencies could absorb. Therefore, the Weld Food Bank drove its large refrigerated trucks to affected towns, directly distributing food and drinks to disaster victims and recovery workers in surrounding communities. The Food Bank will continually provide food items to non-profit agency partners in those affected towns which are seeking to aid victims in surrounding communities.
Disaster victims may pick up disaster food boxes at the food bank, located at 1108 H Street in Greeley throughout the month of June. A picture ID and proof of residence is required.
The Chrysler Foundation
The Chrysler Foundation is the primary source of charitable grants made by Chrysler LLC. The Foundation annually supports hundreds of charitable organizations with an emphasis on community growth and enrichment, arts and culture, education and youth development programs throughout the United States and, increasingly, the world. The Foundation's Good Neighbor, Good Citizen® programs make a positive, lasting investment in local communities where our employees, customers and neighbors live. Visit www.thechryslerfoundation.com.
About Chrysler LLC
Chrysler LLC, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., produces Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and Mopar® brand vehicles and products. Total sales worldwide in 2007 were 2.7 million vehicles. Sales outside of North America were the highest ever with an increase of 8 percent versus 2006. Its product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300 and Town & Country, Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee and Dodge Challenger and Ram.
Aurora Organic Dairy Announces Partnership with Weld Food Bank to provide regular donations
May 29th, 2008 - Aurora Organic Dairy, a leading U.S. provider of high-quality private-label organic milk and butter, today announced a partnership with the Weld Food Bank whereby the Aurora Organic Dairy Foundation will fund regular donations of organic milk and ground beef to help feed the hungry in Weld County.
Aurora Organic Dairy kicked off the partnership this week with a donation of a cow, which will be processed into approximately 600 lbs. of ground beef by a local beef processor, Northern Beef. Additionally, the company will begin making regular donations of its high-quality organic milk to the Weld Food Bank from its processing plant in Platteville, Colo. In addition to the plant, Aurora Organic Dairy operates three organic dairy farms in Weld County.
“This donation couldn’t have come at a more important time for us,” said Karyl Pierpont, Resource Development Director for the Weld Food Bank. “With school just getting out for the summer, we worry about the children who depend on the free and reduced school lunch programs at their schools. These children are at risk of hunger for the next several months, and a donation like this will go a long way in helping them.”
“Over 39 percent of Weld County’s children live below the poverty line. That’s four times the Colorado state average. Aurora Organics’ donation is especially timely when you look at today’s increasing costs for food and fuel.”
During an economic downturn, food banks often receive fewer donations and, therefore, have less to give to their member organizations. This is compounded by the increased need for donations in the aftermath of the tornadoes that touched down in Northern Colorado last week
“Weld County has been part of the success of our company since we were founded in 2003, and we wanted to give back to the communities where we live and work,” said Marc Peperzak, President and CEO of Aurora Organic Dairy. “We know that protein-rich foods like beef and milk are hard to come by and we are happy to be able to share the fruits of our labor with the people who need it the most.”
About Weld Food Bank
Weld Food Bank’s mission is to lead and engage the community in the fight against hunger. A member of America’s Second Harvest – the Nation’s largest Food Network – WFB is a fully functional warehouse and distribution center for food to be collected, stored, and processed for distribution to 116 other area non-profit agencies as well as through direct service programs such as Kid’s Café, the Backpack Program, USDA’s Commodities Program, and Emergency Food Boxes for those in crisis. Last FY, WFB distributed more than 5.7 million pounds of food within Weld County.
About Aurora Organic Dairy
Aurora Organic Dairy’s mission is making high-quality organic milk and butter more affordable and available for American families. The company is a leading producer of private-label and store-brand organic milk and butter. The organic production company includes headquarters offices in Boulder, Colo., five organic dairy farms in Colorado and Texas, and an on-farm organic dairy processing plant near Platteville, Colo. For more information, visit www.auroraorganic.com.
Food to be Distributed in South Weld County for Tornado Victims
May 27, 2008 -- Weld Food Bank will be on-site this week in Windsor and Gilcrest to distribute emergency food boxes to those persons affected by last week’s powerful tornado. Food boxes containing non-perishable items will be distributed Wednesday, May 28, from 3 to 5 at the Cornerstone Baptist Church, located at 1200 Cornerstone Drive in Windsor. Tornado victims in South Weld County may receive emergency food boxes in from 10 to Noon on Friday at the Gilcrest High School gymnasium.
“Although our primary mission is to support the emergency relief functions of our partner agencies,” said Karyl Pierpont, WFB Development Director, “the immediate distribution of large quantities of food can really only be accomplished by the food bank. In the past four days, Weld Food Bank has distributed 25,000 to 30,000 pounds of food in direct support of disaster relief. Most food pantries simply do not have that capacity.”
Weld Food Bank is reassessing community needs daily and is anticipating this will be the last mass food distribution although disaster victims may continue to receive emergency food boxes at the Weld Food Bank warehouse in Greeley. Donations may be sent to 1108 H Street in Greeley to help replenish food stocks. Area agencies will be contacted regarding possible needs for ongoing disaster relief.
Additional food distribution to Windsor tornado victims
May 23, 2008 -- In collaboration with King Soopers, Weld Food Bank staff and volunteers will be on-hand to distribute a semi-truck load food to Windsor residents who were victims of last Thursday’s tornado. King Soopers is providing an assortment of non-perishable goods for distribution to tornado victims. Weld Food Bank staff will distribute the food in the King Soopers’ parking lot in Windsor from 1 to 3 PM on Memorial Day. Victims will need a valid Windsor address.
Emergency food boxes are available at Weld Food Bank, located at 1108 H Street in Greeley. Food and cash donations are being accepted for disaster relief as well. Food coming in CASES is preferred as they can be distributed faster.
Competing Companies Raise $20,000 to Fight Hunger
May 8, 2008 - Winners were announced this week for Weld Food Bank’s 4th Annual Corporate Food Challenge, and included a big surprise! More than $20,500 and 5700 pounds of food was raised by 13 competing businesses to benefit the food bank.
The two-week long Corporate Food Challenge engages area businesses in a competition to raise food and funds to benefit the Weld Food Bank. Points are awarded for every pound of food and every dollar raised. Trophies are awarded for Largest Food Contribution, Largest Monetary Contribution, and Largest Overall Contribution (based on percentage per company employee).
This year, a fourth trophy was added to the competition for Most Volunteer Sorting Hours. Competing teams were encouraged to send employees to the food bank to help sort donated food so it could be distributed immediately to either the 116 non-profit agencies that rely on Weld Food Bank for food, or for direct service programs including Kid’s Cafe, the Backpack Program for Kids, or emergency food boxes.
In previous years, StarTek has swept all trophy categories, leaving competitors in the dust. This set the scene for a highly competitive and energetic contest this year, complete with a surprise ending!
As winners were announced, StarTek came through the challenge as a true champion, retaining their trophies for both Largest Monetary and Largest Food Contributions as well as taking home the new trophy.
But, in an unexpected upset and amid hoops and hollers, Meadow Gold was awarded the trophy for the Overall Contribution award!
Weld Sheriff’s Office was recognized as “Rookie of the Year”. In their first year, they ran a close third to our biggest contenders!
Congratulations to all companies that participated to help the hungry in Weld County. Challengers included: Advanced Forming Technology, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, Bonnell Good Samaritan Community, DCP Midstream, Greeley Tribune, Harsh International, Hall Irwin, Honda of Greeley, Meadow Gold Dairy, North Range Behavioral Health, Weld County Sheriff’s Office and Women’s Clinic of Greeley.
If your company would like to be included in next year’s challenge, please contact the Weld Food Bank at 356-2199.
Weld Food Bank receives grant through 'American Idol'
April 30, 2008 - Reality television is helping feed hungry children in Weld County.
Weld Food Bank has received a grant for over $11,000 to support its children’s programs. Both the Kid’s Café and the Backpack Program will benefit from this money.
Last year, the Kid’s Café program provided 10,855 hot meals and snacks to over 800 kids. Meals are served at the Boys and Girls Clubs and the Hill-N-Park Mission Area in Greeley.
The Backpack program operates through the school year and provides food to children at risk of hunger over the weekend. Weld Food bank distributed 11, 646 backpacks over 600 kids last year but has had to cut back in this current year due to significant cuts in funding. Currently this program is operating in Windsor, Evans, Greeley and Fort Lupton.
The Idol grant was result of collaboration between the Charity Projects Entertainment Fund, a group aimed at fighting poverty amongst children in the United States and Africa, and American Idol on the Fox TV network. More than $74 million was raised during a "give back" theme week on the singing competition show last year.
Weld Food Bank’s membership in the nation’s food bank network America’s Second Harvest, one of the four domestic charities to get funds from the specials, made the local organization eligible for the money.
"We are extremely grateful for this donation. It will go a long way in helping us feed hungry children," said Leona Martens, Executive Director of Weld Food Bank.
"So many of the school children in Weld County face the threat of hunger. This grant will ensure that more children have access to nutritious food over the weekends, when school meal programs are not available."
“There have been many studies done that prove a child cannot learn or make good life decisions when they are hungry. We as a community must address this issue.”
Ft. Lupton Middle School students volunteer at Weld Food Bank
Dec 7th, 2007 - GREELEY – Despite the snow and freezing temperatures, 18 Fort Lupton Middle School 8th grade AVID students got off of their bus Friday and trekked into Weld Food Bank to be the change they want to see in the world; their theme for this school year.
The students performed various volunteer tasks: building food boxes to be distributed to families throughout the county, repackaging pinto beans, crating eggs and most importantly sorting food donations.
Each and every can, bag and box of food that Weld Food Bank receives must be safety checked and sorted before it can be distributed to its nonprofit agency partners in Weld County. Each is inspected and special attention is paid to expiration dates, dents, recalled items, quality of food and condition of food.
This food sorted by these enthusiastic students will be distributed to agencies and food pantries such as Fort Lupton Food and Clothing Bank and the Seventh Day Adventist Church for their holiday baskets. Their hard work will benefit hungry families in their community as well as families throughout Weld County. Thank you, Fort Lupton students, for truly being the change you want to see in the world!
