Going Paperless.... - Food Bank of the Rockies

NOURISHINGNews
G. Vogelzang
Spring 2009
FBR wants to get at the heart of the issue of hunger by introducing those on the frontlines in Colorado. No sugar coating. Just real people. Real faces. And a
very real problem happening in our own backyard.
Visit www.frontlinesofhunger.blogspot.com to meet more individuals who benefit from your time
& support.
B
randy is being raised by a single mom. Daycare costs more than their income, so her mom had to quit her job.
They sold their car due to the cost of fuel and maintenance, which means they walk where they need to go. Luckily,
a local food pantry is close to home. That’s where we met Brandy and her mother. They’re just grateful to have the
means to get nutritious food. Without the pantry close to home they wouldn’t have anywhere convenient to go and
mom says they wouldn’t have enough food to get them through the week. When we visited with the director of this
pantry, she explained that funding is lacking and the pantry was in jeopardy of closing. For Brandy’s sake, we hope that
doesn’t happen.
Going Paperless....
We received very positive feedback from going paperless with our Annual Report again last year, so we’re following suit this
year! The 2008 Annual Report can now be found electronically at www.foodbankrockies.org. Check it out!
YOU are making a DIFFERENCE
A Message From: Kevin Seggelke
President & CEO
When Feeding America released 2005 Hunger in America study results, the world was different.
Hurricane Katrina and the Iraq War dominated the headlines, but the economy was healthier than it is
today. Regardless, many people struggled with hunger. Even in better times, we learned much from this
national study.
As we begin local research for Hunger in America 2009, headlines paint a darker picture.
Unemployment is the highest it’s been since the 1970’s. The housing market is saturated with
foreclosures and short sales. Banks are in trouble. Businesses are strained. Stocks are shrinking. As we
venture out to interview clients at soup kitchens, shelters and pantries throughout our service area, we can’t help but wonder what we will
learn from this new study. Who are the faces of hunger in our community? What stories will they tell?
The stories we’re hearing are heart wrenching. One pantry we visited in South Denver gets the majority of its food from Food Bank of the
Rockies. A quiet woman in her early forties worked for 9 years at the same company. College educated and hard-working, she never
thought she’d find herself at a food pantry. She’s typically the one donating to places like this. But now, she’s living on unemployment and
dwindling savings. As money runs out and no job is found, this food pantry gets her through the month.
We also talk to many parents. Some of the questions are extremely difficult for them to answer. “My children were not eating because I just
couldn’t afford enough food.” We mark “Often True” on the questionnaire as many parents shake their heads, affirming the fact and holding
back tears. It’s hard to believe, right here in our community, children go to bed hungry at night and parents skip meals so their
children can eat.
It breaks our hearts to hear these stories, but it affirms the reason we come to work and the reason our donors donate food, funds and time.
A hot meal for a child after school, a tote filled with healthy food to help a senior through the month, a truckload of nutritious food taken to a
shelter to feed battered women and children with no place else to go. Because of your donations, we are able to distribute food, so
desperately needed, to hundreds of worthy agencies. The results of Hunger in America 2009 will be released this Fall. Times are tough for
many people and we greatly appreciate the support we receive. Your donations are truly making a difference. We’ve seen the faces of so
many others who would thank you if they could. Together we are fighting hunger and feeding hope – thank you!
G. Vogelzang
SHOP
O RAMA
& CHECK
For the 17th ye
ar, media team
s gathered to
fight hunger th
rough a comp
etitive shoppin
frenzy. Teams
g
from FOX 31, C
h
a
n
n
e
l
4, CW2, &
Denver Magazi
ne raced throu
gh the aisles of
Natural Groce
rs by Vitamin C
ottage trying to
fill their carts w
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the total of $16
to
9.11. After ma
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a
rs
of taking
a close second
, Melissa Mollet
proudly brough
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t
ted shopping c
art award!
This fun filled ev
ent kicks off Na
tural Grocer’s
Check Out Hun
ger Promotion,
an easy way
for people to d
onate to childre
n’s programs
through Food B
ank of the Roc
kies’ Nutrition
Network. At lo
cal Natural Gro
cer locations,
Glimpses from Hunger
Study 2009
Donna & Frank
Last year, Donna and Frank earned over $100,000. This
more than took care of their living expenses and allowed
for a very comfortable lifestyle. Frank works as a private
contractor and hadn’t had problems making a living in
the past. Until recently. Work is hard to come by, which
has resulted in an average monthly income of $2,000.
$24,000 annually isn’t cutting it. Especially since their
daughter, son-in-law and their two children have moved
in due to their own financial struggles.
Debra
For the past 7 years, Debra worked as a Development
Director for a local non-profit. She used her masters degree to
raise money to help assist those less fortunate. Debra owns her
own home, has always kept up with bills and had enough to
spare from month to month.
In November of 2008, this all changed. Debra was laid off and
hasn’t been able to find employment. We interviewed her at
a local church pantry, where she has been receiving monthly
food boxes. “Never did I imagine needing to reach out for a
basic necessity like food. I’ve always been one to volunteer at
places like this. But getting food boxes enables me to pay bills
and stay afloat.” In addition to picking up a food box for herself,
she also delivered one to her elderly neighbor who had recently
been hospitalized and was coming home to an empty pantry.
“We need to help each other out when times are difficult.”
O ut
HUNGER
shoppers were a
ble to add $1 or
$5 coupons to th
grocery bill, Nove
eir
mber 1st - Dece
m
b
e
r
31
st. Natural
Grocers matche
s all customer do
nations!
Throughout their
years of involvem
ent, Natural
Grocers has rais
ed more than $1
75,000! Their
generosity equa
tes to over 700,00
0 meals for
chldren in our se
rvice area! Spe
ical thanks to all
celebrity shoppe
our
rs, Natural Groce
rs
a
n
d all their loyal
customers for do
ing your part to
fight hunger & fe
hope!
ed
When we sat down to interview Donna, she looked us in
the eye and told us they do not typically accept hand
outs. They want to make it on their own hard work and
determination, but when it comes to feeding her grandchildren, she won’t let pride get in the way. This was her
first visit to a food pantry and unfortunately, it doesn’t look
like it will be her last.
Toasting Barbara Arko ...
After 18 years of dedicated service to Food Bank of
the Rockies, Barbara Arko, Vice President of
Development, has retired. Barbara came to FBR after
a long career in development for the arts – her other
love. She was responsible for overseeing all
fundraising activities, board member recruitment and
annual, capital and endowment campaigns. She also
served as FBR’s interim CEO in 2002. Barbara wore
many hats for the organization and did a remarkable
job in each position she held.
Barbara Arko laughs as she is reminded of many fond memories during her years at
Food Bank of the Rockies.
Staff and supporters of Food Bank of the Rockies will
forever be grateful for the compassion and
commitment Barbara has demonstrated in helping
those in need. We have grown from distributing just
over 8 million pounds when Barbara joined FBR to
nearly 25 million this past year. Barbara played a large
role in the growth experienced by this organization.
The Perfect Sanctuary. The Finest Cuisine.
Hungry for More?
Join Joe & Debbie Sakic, Food Bank of the Rockies & 5280 Magazine for an
unforgettable day of golf & an elegant evening of entertainment & fine dining.
Joe Sakic Celebrity Classic
Sanctuary Golf Course - August 27, 2009
Joe & Debbie Sakic Bringing Hope to the
Table Celebration
Inverness Hotel - August 28, 2009
Reserve your event package by calling 303.375.5838 or visit the Events Page at
www.foodbankrockies.org.
Joe Sakic Celebrity Classic Presented
by RE/MAX International. All net
proceeds benefit Food Bank of the
Rockies’ Children’s Programs.
... 18 Years of Dedicated Service .
In early January, peers, partners and family gathered
together to send Barbara off in style at a retirement party
honoring her dedication. The pinnacle of the evening
occurred when Board Chair, Richard Treich, unveiled the
new name of the Development wing of FBR’s office: The
“Barbara Arko Development Center.”
Barbara’s family
celebrated her years
of service at the
retirement party.
Here’s to you Barbara. You will be missed!
Board members Seth
Patterson & Neil Duggan
join Barbara at her
retirement party.
A plaque commemorating Barbara’s 18 years of service
can be found in the Development wing at FBR’s offices.
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eur an
10th Annual
MIX 100
to the
CHARITY MARATHON
Through 10 years of dedication, Mix 100’s Dom & Jane
have raised a total of $1,721,970 to fight hunger!
For the past 10 years, right before Thanksgiving, MIX 100’s Dom & Jane stay on the radio 24 hours
over a two day period to raise money for Food Bank of the Rockies. Their amazing dedication
to fighting hunger for our neighbors in need has turned this event into one of the largest
fundraisers for FBR. Over the past 10 years, “The Dom & Jane Show” cast members, Dom
Testa and Jane London, have raised enough money to provide 6,887,880 meals for
food-insecure individuals in our service area!
Throughout the 2 days of Charity Marathon, Dom and Jane invite select FBR donors to visit the
studio and share their contributions to FBR with the listening audience. Stories of clients who
utilize FBR’s service are shared throughout the programming and countless listeners call in to
donate toward helping FBR continue the fight against hunger. The Marathon wraps up with a
live remote where Dom and Jane listeners and FBR donors can hand deliver donations.
We can’t imagine what we would do without the dedication of Dom and Jane and the entire
Mix 100 team!
Endless thanks for 10 years of partnership and millions and millions of meals provided!
Photo captions from top to bottom: Whiting Petroleum staff visit Dom & Jane at the studio to share their
contributions: Dom, Jane, Jeremy & Tizzy close out the Marathon at the Live Remote at a local
Safeway; Heather Isely of Natural Grocers visits the studio: Mayor Hickenlooper spends time with Dom & Jane
The
Perfect
Sanctuary.
The
Finest
CuiKian ...a Kid Who Cares
Kian, 14, is truly a kid who cares. When Kian first volunteered at FBR with his school,
he enjoyed it so much, he convinced his mom to let him come help the food bank
on a permanent basis. He even promised to complete his homework each afternoon
before volunteering. We know when Kian arrives on Tuesday evenings because he
lights up the warehouse with his big smile and the constant skip in his step. He’s always
ready and willing to help agencies fill their orders and any other task asked of him.
9NEWS agreed with us when we nominated him for their 9 Kids Who Care awards and
chose him as one of their winners for 2009.
Kian at the 9NEWS Award Luncheon
Congratulations Kian – we’re thrilled that you’ve won this award and grateful for your service to FBR!
Panera Bread Shares the Warmth
Panera Bread has delicious new breakfast items to introduce to the people of Metro Denver.
They decided it would be a great idea to give away samples of these items along with a free
cup of coffee on January 28. In return, they suggested customers donate $1 to FBR and also
generously matched customer donations to $250 per bakery-café. This wonderful act of sharing
resulted in $3,864.92 – 15,460 meals for those less fortunate. Thanks Panera Bread for
helping us fight hunger and feed hope!
A Day of Service
- 2009 Marade
This past winter, President and Michelle Obama asked Americans across
the country to rise to their challenge and commit to a day of service in
honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Denver’s Commission for our city’s
nationally recognized “Marade” chose to take part in this day of service by
including Food Bank of the Rockies in the day’s festivities. FBR staff worked
with volunteers from Capitol Hill for Change, collecting soup, stew, chili and
much needed funds to feed our neighbors in need this winter. We
collected 1,133 pounds of food and over $900 and also had 54 volunteers
working at our warehouse, packing food boxes and sorting donated items.
Heartfelt thanks to the Marade commission and everyone who
participated in this day of service!
One
Volunteers working at FBR’s warehouse
Can Make a Difference
Mark Rogers, a Geologist with Forest Oil in Denver, felt fortunate during the oil boom a few
months back and wanted to give back to his community. He chose Food Bank of the
Rockies because we provide one of the most basic necessities – food. Mark challenged
his fellow colleagues to help and was instrumental in raising needed funds and promoting
awareness for FBR. Even as the oil boom has softened, Mark continues to work with us,
organizing 16 Oil, Gas & Energy companies to join him on a committee to help FBR fight
hunger. Mark is an excellent example of what one person can do to help people in need.
Thank you Mark! We appreciate your efforts and look forward to working with the
committee in the future! We’ll keep our supporters posted on the happenings of this group
and their involvement with FBR!
calendarof
Through June 30
Pinnacle & Snap Dragon Wine Promotion
Apirl 1st - June 15
Denver Magazine’s Faces of Hunger Photo Contest
Apirl 25th
Maggiano’s Wine & Dinner Event
Downtown Denver Maggiano’s location
August 27
Joe Sakic Celebrity Classic - Sanctuary
August 28
Mile High Ice Bowl 2009
Joe & Debbie Sakic Bringing Hope to the
Table Celebration - Inverness
October 16
Disc golf players from around Colorado and the country come together
on the first weekend of February each year to help raise money for those
Food Bank of the Rockies Celebrity Server Night,
Presented by Maggiano’s
Downtown Denver Maggiano’s
in need. This past February, the Mile High Disc Golf Club of Colorado held
its annual fundraising event, benefiting FBR & other local charities. The club
raised over $5,400 for FBR! Over the past 5 years, the club has raised a total
of $19,696, providing 78,784 meals to our neighbors in need!
For more details on the events listed above,
visit www.foodbankrockies.org and click
on the Events Page.
Special thanks to this amazing group of disc golfers for including FBR in your
annual fun!
Leaving a Legacy
One hundred years from now no one will remember what house you lived in, what car you drove, maybe not even
what you did for a living. What will be remembered is the legacy YOU left for generations to come.
Help us Fight Hunger & Feed Hope for future generations. Please remember Food Bank of the Rockies in your will!
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
DENVER, CO
PERMIT NO. 3730
10700 E 45th Ave.
Denver, CO 80239
A Member of
FBR’s mission is to end hunger by efficiently procuring & distributing food & essentials
to people in need through our partner agencies in Northern Colorado & Wyoming.