Empty Stocking Fund benefits Larimer County

By Brenda Rader Mross
North Forty News

Childhood hunger is a gut-wrenching issue in Larimer County, where Poudre and Thompson School Districts report one in three students qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch. But thanks to the Northern Colorado Empty Stocking Fund's donations to the Food Bank for Larimer County, some of those empty tummies are getting filled.

While the Food Bank's childhood hunger programming continues to serve more families, program providers know many aren't being reached.

"This is what keeps me motivated to find and serve pockets of children in poverty in Larimer County," said Kristin Bieri, Food Bank program manager. "Providing healthy meals for my children is a very high priority. I don't think I'm so different from any of the moms that seek our services."

One of eight recipient agencies, the Food Bank has received a total of $38,835 over three years from the annual holiday fund-raising campaign dedicated to helping those struggling to meet basic needs, while assisting others on the verge of achieving self-sufficiency.

This year's initiative – a partnership of the El Pomar Foundation's North Regional Council and the United Ways of Larimer and Weld Counties – kicks off Nov. 1.

Empty Stocking proceeds go into the Food Bank's general operating fund and are then funneled into its three major programs: Food Share, Food Link and Kids Cafe.

Food Share accounts for two-thirds of the Food Bank's annual supply of 7.5 million pounds of food, which is distributed to more than 12,000 low-income individuals monthly.

"Nutritious food should not be reserved for only those who can afford it," said Bieri, mother of two. "Through Food Share, moms can pick up healthy choices for their families."

Food Link allows qualified nonprofits – more than 60 of which are school programs – to shop at the Food Bank. Participating agencies pay a shared maintenance fee of no more than 19 cents a pound, while schools get free snacks and fresh produce through a member account that depletes with each "purchase."

As of mid-October, Eagles After Hours at Wellington Middle School has used $30 of the $244 in its Kids Link account, according to site coordinator Christie Brucher. Brucher said an average of 70 kids in the after-school program enjoy Food Bank snacks like granola bars and fresh fruit two days a week.

The Food Bank launched a new supplemental food distribution program this month through PSD Head Start by sending weekend backpacks home with 20 preschoolers, ages 1 to 5.

Bieri explained their program is in addition to similar efforts by Loveland Rotary and the McKinney Homeless Education Program aimed at older at-risk students.

"We have a terrific partnership with the Food Bank," said McBackpack coordinator Susan Lind. "There's no way we could serve the number of kids we do without them and the wonderful volunteers at First Presbyterian Church. It's a passion."

Lind said 125 McBackpacks go home weekly throughout PSD.

Brucher coordinates the distribution of 13 McBackpacks each week for the three Wellington schools. Items delivered Tuesday are packed on Thursday for children to take home Friday. The backpacks are returned empty on Monday.

"Without this program, some kids don't eat over the weekend," Brucher said.

Backpack-friendly foods include pop-top cans and aseptic milk so carriers can feed themselves and their siblings, if need be.

Bieri said Food Link further extends the Food Bank's reach through pantries (like the Wellington Food Bank every other Tuesday), shelters, soup kitchens, youth programs and churches.

Kids Cafe, the Food Bank's full-meal program, delivers hot dinners to six locations weekdays after school. During summer vacation, breakfast and lunch are available at seven sites.

At Northside Aztlan Community Center, Debra Bueno said Kids Cafe has a huge impact on an average of 30 families nightly.

"We see it especially toward the end of the month and as the weather gets colder," the recreation supervisor said. "No one should fall through the cracks."

Kris Swaton, unit director at the Wellington Boys & Girls Club, said Kids Cafe may very well be the only healthy, hot meal of the day for some of the 35 students served there. Her counterpart at the Fort Collins Boys & Girls Club, Pam Rud, agreed, saying its Kids Cafe is critical.

"I know when kids aren't getting enough to eat when we serve breakfast in the summer. On Mondays they're asking for second helpings," she said.

Rud said she believes they would serve even more than the daily average of 65 to 85 students if families realized Kids Cafe meals are included in the club's $5 per year dues.

Members Kassidy Kindell, 11, and Kalie Hurd, 12, both sixth-graders at Lincoln Middle School, love Kids Cafe food, although it's hard for Kassidy to decide which is better: the mac and cheese or the mashed potatoes. Kalie's favorite dish is chicken and macaroni, but she said it's all really good, because it's homemade.

Bieri said it takes around three hours to deliver about 350 meals to the sites, which are equipped with electric hot holding units. All staff on location are fully trained in food service.

"Our hope is that one or more of these programs will provide a safety net for those most at risk," Bieri said. "At-risk children are just that: at risk for hunger, low grades, poor attention spans, poor attendance rates. We're trying to help families holistically by providing food because we believe healthier children do better in school and are able to contribute more fully to their families and communities."

Kassidy said Kids Cafe feels like a second home, and Kalie's trying to give back by saving money in a jar. In fact, the entire club sponsored a canned food drive for the Food Bank in October.

Contributions to the 2010 Northern Colorado Empty Stocking Fund may be made online at www.uwaylc.org/ncesf or by calling 211. If using a cell phone, call 970-407-7066. Checks may be mailed to P.O. Box 588, Fort Collins CO 80522. The web site provides more information about the eight recipient agencies.