June 2014

DID YOU KNOW...?  
Many Colorado children are at the greatest risk of hunger during the summer months due to lost access to school meals. Share KidsFoodFinder.org with others, so families can locate a nearby summer food site in Colorado!
 

BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION 
You can get involved in many ways! Participate in the 9Cares Colorado Shares drive on Saturday, June 14, by donating healthy food items

 

OTHER NEWS & EVENTS 

Want to Work for Hunger Free Colorado? 
We're hiring! Are you bilingual and fed up with people being hungry? Apply today to become our Mobile Outreach Program Associate, or share with others to spread the word about this great opportunity.
 
Young Artist's Work Connecting Kids to Meals  

 

Thirteen-year-old Jalia recently won a poster contest that's resulted in her artwork being displayed across the state. Her work is helping connect more Colorado kids and teens to free, nutritious meals this summer.

Meet Jalia and learn more about the poster contest. 

 

Best Practices for Serving Older Adults at Food Pantries 
Food pantries are often the first line of defense against hunger for older adults; yet, few have been able to tailor their services to the growing older adult population. Join Hunger Free Colorado for a free training session that addresses challenges and how to integrate best practices to implement necessary steps and supplies to begin making changes.

These interactive sessions are held monthly, and the next is scheduled for Thursday, June 26, from 9-11:30 a.m. Contact Dinah Frey to RSVP and learn more
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IN THE NEWS

 

Farm-to-food-bank bill signing picked up by the Associated Press, Colorado Springs Gazette, KCNC-TV, Durango Herald, KMGH-TV, Pueblo Chieftain, CPR, Univision, Houston Chronicle and several other news outlets.

The Denver Post YourHub featured how the Hunger Free Hotline connects older adults to food resources.




Our multilingual, statewide Hunger Free Hotline connects Coloradans to food resources in just one confidential call.     

   

 

 

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Stay informed! Get our email updates.
 
Summer food sites providing free, nutritious meals to Colorado children 
 

Summer should be a fun and enriching time for all Colorado kids, but for many it represents a time when children are at the greatest risk of experiencing hunger due to lost access to school meals. More than 500 community sites across the state will provide summer meals at no cost to children and teenagers up to 18 years old.

 

The Summer Food Service Program was established as a safeguard for children during the summer months. It is funded by the USDA, administered by the Colorado Department of Education, and supported by Hunger Free Colorado and hundreds of organizations across the state. 

 

Families can find nearby summer food sites by calling the statewide, multilingual Hunger Free Hotline toll-free at (855) 855-4626 or by using the interactive map at KidsFoodFinder.org

  


Save the Date: Hunger Free Colorado Summit, Sept. 8 
 
Join us for the Hunger Free Colorado Summit 2014! The fourth annual convening unites nonprofit organizations, educators, faith community leaders, government representatives, foundation and corporate leadership and community members for a full day of cross-sector learning. The Summit will be held on Sept. 8 in Arvada, featuring Sister Simone Campbell as our keynote speaker.  
 
Mark your calendars! Online registration opens July 15, with early-bird and group rates. Registration includes continental breakfast, lunch and social hour.

Find out more about the Summit and sponsorship opportunities.

 

 
Gov. Hickenlooper signs tax credit to boost fresh-food donations in Colorado 
 
Now, more Colorado families will gain additional access to healthy, local foods. Gov. John Hickenlooper signed the Colorado Charitable Crop Donation Act on May 30 at Adobe House Farm in Durango, surrounded by ranchers, farmers, emergency food providers and community members.

The 25 percent tax credit will go into effect January 2015 and be offered to local producers who donate excess foods to Colorado food banks and pantries, including fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products and meat products.

"We're all at our best when we have enough to eat; yet, too many children, seniors and families struggle to get the fuel needed for better, healthier lives and stronger communities," said Kathy Underhill, executive director for Hunger Free Colorado. "The new tax credit means more Coloradans will be able to access needed nutrition through local food."

Hunger Free Colorado and Feeding Colorado -- Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado, Community Food Share, Food Bank for Larimer County, Food Bank of the Rockies and Weld Food Bank -- served as lead supporters for this legislation, along with support from the Colorado Farm Bureau, Colorado Nonprofit Association, LiveWell Colorado and Rocky Mountain Farmers Union. The bill was sponsored by Rep. McLachlan (D-Durango), Sen. Hodge (D-Brighton) and Sen. Roberts (R-Durango), and co-sponsored by Rep. Dore (R-Elizabeth).

Read more about the bill signing, and view more photos from the event in Durango.


 
Hunger Free Colorado is the state's leading anti-hunger organization leveraging the power
of collaboration, system change, policy change and social change to end hunger in Colorado.
Fill up on more information at HungerFreeColorado.org.