JULY 2017
 
Hike for Hunger is Blazing New Trails
Coloradans have gotten creative for Hike for Hunger, and it's paying off. Almost $11,000 has been raised for the month-long statewide event and fundraiser, which benefits our mission. That's halfway to our goal and we still have two weeks to go! 

Participants have raised funds in lieu of birthday presents, hiked the tough "Boulder Quadruple," and hit the trail with their dogs for a "trail-wagging" good time. 

A talented photographer is even utilizing an employer match to donate 300% of profits from photo sales to ensure no Coloradan goes hungry. His stunning photos can be purchased as prints, canvases or phone covers at deig.visualsociety.com

What to join the fun? Register online (or by mail) and start fundraising today! 
 
 Celebrating a Successful Fiscal Year
Hunger Free Colorado just wrapped up its 2016-2017 fiscal year, and there is much to celebrate. 

The Food Resource Hotline, a statewide, bilingual hunger hotline, saw incredible growth. The hotline received 10,726 calls, an increase of nearly 2,000. Additionally, client referrals from physicians jumped up by 50% in the last year. 

Other exciting accomplishments included the initial launch of Hike for Hunger; the release of the Colorado Food Pantry Network's Best Practices Guide for Food Pantries; the addition of a "Food Assistance" checkbox to the Medicaid application, spurring more than 1,000 households to get the assistance they need to thrive; and the realization of the new Your Neighborhood Food Connection van to provide in-person referrals and application assistance for food assistance throughout Colorado.

Thank you to all of our advocates, donors, partners and supporters for making this possible. Together we will see a hunger-free Colorado!
 
Other News & Events
Summer Meals Fill the Nutrition Gap

The summer meal program, federally known as the Summer Food Service Program, offers free, nutritious meals to kids and teens 18 and younger to help them get the fuel they need to learn, play, and grow throughout the summer.

"We really appreciate our community partners for working so hard to increase access to healthy meals this summer, " said Darlene Barnes, regional administrator for the USDA Food and Nutrition Service's Denver office.  
 
Community sites across Colorado provide meals and fun enrichment activities to fill the nutrition gap left by lost access to school meals. There are no registration or income requirements. 

Families can find local summer meals sites and hours until mid-August at KidsFoodFinder.org or (855) 855-4626.

Senator Bennet Visits Parker

Senator Michael Bennet recently visited the Parker Task Force, a nonprofit staffed entirely by volunteers and dedicated to serving the communities of Parker, Franktown and Elizabeth with food, financial assistance and other support services.  
 
"The Parker Task Force Food Bank is an example of the people of Douglas County helping their neighbors through tough times," said Bennet. "With the rising costs of housing, health care, early childhood education, and post-secondary education, some families are struggling to make ends meet.  That's why we must protect programs in the Farm Bill that provide meals for kids who need a helping hand."  

Read more about Sen. Bennet's visit to the Parker Task Force, and thank him for taking a stand against hunger via email or social media .
Raising Awareness and Action
  
The launch of "Your Neighborhood Food Connection" was highlighted by many area media outlets. In addition to coverage on 7News and 9News:

The Denver Herald highlighted the many services of the van and food resource hotline to connect Coloradans with nutritious food.

Telemundo Denver emphasized the van's ability to connect Coloradans with nutrition programs, as well as summer meals

KGNU spotlighted the new capacity for providing services in rural Colorado, something that was cost-prohibitive with our prior RV. 

Governor Hickenlooper even joined the fun via social media.

Donate Your Extra Produce

Gardens across the state are filled with crops of tomatoes, beans, zucchini and many other fruits and vegetables. Don't let your produce go to waste or end up in a compost pile, because it can serve a greater purpose. 
 
Produce for Pantries  connects community, school and home gardeners across the state with local food pantries. Call our statewide food resource hotline at (855) 855-4626 to find a nearby food pantry that accepts fresh-food donations.

Colorado producers also can take advantage of a 25-percent tax credit, thanks to the  Colorado Charitable Crop Donation Act . It boosts local, fresh-food donations and also provides struggling Coloradans with additional access to fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy and meat products.
 
How You Can Take Action




Join Our Action Network  

What's happening at the State Capitol and on Capitol Hill? Sign up for our legislative alerts!

We'll notify you when lawmakers are considering bills and other proposals that impact the nearly 1 in 8 Coloradans who struggle with hunger. With our easy-to-use online advocacy center, you can tell elected officials where you stand on those issues.
Connect More Coloradans
to Food Resources

 

Our statewide, bilingual hotline connects Coloradans to food resources in just one confidential call. Share the Hunger Free Hotline with others who may be in need of food assistance or groups that provide services to their community.   

 

Supporting a Hunger-free Colorado
 
Thanks to the Telligen Community Initiative  for their generous contribution!  Their support helps us continue our innovative work to ensure no Coloradan goes hungry.
  
Hunger Free Colorado, a statewide nonprofit organization launched in 2009, connects
families and individuals to food resources and fuels change in systems,
policies and social views, so no Coloradan goes hungry.