Dear Hunger Relief Partners,
For some of us, summer is a time for cookouts, fireworks, vacations, and relaxation. For others, it can mean adding seasonal temperatures to the challenges we face year round. While employment opportunities are increasing in our community, there are still many challenges to overcome. Balancing childcare and family needs with the desire to return to work can be a daily struggle for many of our neighbors. In your critically important work, you lead the way to removing barriers that keep families in crisis. We value you and your efforts this summer season and throughout the year.
July is a month when we celebrate the idea of freedom and equality in the United States. Although our nation is an imperfect union of flawed people, we believe in working and hoping together for a better future. Through your work, you represent the best hope for progress toward a world that has opportunities for everyone. We are honored to be working together with you.
Thank you for keeping the focus on nourishing people experiencing hunger,
Steve Kullberg, Chief Operating Officer
Important Dates
Please check out the July Calendar for important information that will affect your orders and access to the Fresh Food Center for the month of July.
- Wednesday, July 14: Virtual Link2Feed training 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
- Saturday, July 17: Free Evergreen Box, 45th Avenue Distribution Center 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
- Thursday, July 29: Virtual or in-person Link2Feed training 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
- Thursday, July 29: Virtual partner orientation 1:00 p.m.
- Friday, July 30: Staff appreciation lunch: early closure; pick-ups only until 10:30 a.m.; Fresh Food Center until 11:00 a.m.
For important dates that will affect orders and warehouse access, please refer to our annual calendar.
If you have any questions, please contact our Partner Support Team: partnersupport@foodbankrockies.org.
Recertification Due by August 31: Food Safety and Civil Rights Training
The Food Safety and Civil Rights courses are available online at no charge through Food Bank of the Rockies’ Online University. Completion of these courses is required annually for all active partners of Food Bank of the Rockies across all of our programs. After you have completed the training, you will need a score of 80% on the test to pass and be compliant. There is no need to send us a copy of your test results; we have access to the names of all partners with passing scores.
For instructions and to complete the required courses, view PDF.
If you are a new user, please remember to sign up as an Agency Employee or Volunteer so we can capture your completion of these courses correctly.
For new partners who have completed these courses any time after April 1, 2021, you are compliant for this year; thank you.
If you have questions, please contact partnersupport@foodbankrockies.org.
Quarterly Partner Town Hall: All About Food Sourcing
When: Thursday, July 29 at 11:00 a.m.
Learn about Food Bank of the Rockies’ sourcing department and the donated and purchased items we provide across all of our programs and distribution centers, including Partner Express, Food for Kids, the Culturally Responsive Food Initiative (CRFI), and more. Bring your questions, product requests, and curiosity.
Join the Town Hall by Zoom:
bit.ly/Zoom-TownHall
Meeting ID: 969 1569 5831
Passcode: 167482
Or dial in:
888-475-4499 US Toll-free
877-853-5257 US Toll-free
Join the New Partner Facebook Group Page
Many of our partners have expressed an interest in receiving updates about partner resources through Facebook. We have set up a private Facebook group for partners to share the latest updates, important information, and to network with one another. Click here and request to join.
Partner Highlight
Kids at Their Best
When Kids At Their Best (KATB) was challenged to cover the food needs of children during the COVID-19 pandemic, they knew exactly what to do.
KATB operates in a rural community where multiple languages are spoken and shift work is common. A traditionally run food pantry is inadequate to serve the need here. Through KATB, families receive culturally appropriate food items from Food Bank of the Rockies and local produce from area farmers.
The pantry is run by KATB’s dedicated teen leaders who are paid for their work, and parents are recruited to help with the ordering to ensure that those receiving the items have their preferences met. This leadership design provides an important link with the business community while simultaneously allowing teen leaders to begin building networks for future employment.
The pantry currently serves six separate mobile locations within Morgan County, and KATB plans to add two more locations by August 2021.
On average, 150 families benefit from KATB every week. Food Bank of the Rockies is proud to be a part of the positive impact the pantry is making in Morgan County.
To see more of our work together, visit kidsattheirbest.org.
Food Sourcing
The Colorado-sourced and culturally responsive items stocked in Partner Express this month are shown in the image below. One such item is chickpeas, a versatile food. Refer to the image below to see some ideas for preparing chickpeas.
Simplify Client Intake with Link2Feed and Barcodes
Link2Feed is an online client Service Insights tool that many of our Hunger Relief Partners utilize to track important data points about the clients they serve. We have now made this even easier with barcodes.
Barcode cards expedite the client check-in process and reduce the wait time for food assistance.
Food Bank of the Rockies is providing barcode cards and scanners at no cost to our partners utilizing Link2Feed. If you are interested in learning more about all the features offered within Link2Feed, please visit the Link2Feed YouTube page or email L2F@foodbankrockies.org.
Attend one of our upcoming Link2Feed trainings. RSVP here: http://bit.ly/L2FRSVP.
Upcoming Link2Feed Training Dates:
- Wednesday, July 14: 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
- Thursday, July 29: 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. (providing an in-person option, too)
- Wednesday, August 11: 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
If you would like to see Link2Feed in action, we will connect you with one of our partners or Mobile Pantries using the system.
Client Resources
Power the Comeback: COVID Vaccine Campaign
There are many resources available for community members to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine and find nearby vaccination opportunities. In the link below, find resources provided by Power the Comeback, a campaign to inform and educate Coloradans about the COVID-19 vaccine and encourage vaccination.
For more information please visit: https://thesocialpresskit.com/power-the-comeback.
Double Up Food Bucks Colorado
Use SNAP benefits to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables at farmers’ markets across Colorado, many of which have been offering vouchers or incentive programs for SNAP participants. A forerunner in healthy food incentives, the Double Up Food Bucks program doubles the value of federal nutrition (SNAP or WIC) benefits spent at participating markets and food retail stores. This incentive can help people bring home more fresh fruit and vegetables and support local farmers.
For more information please visit: https://doubleupcolorado.org/.
Food Bank of the Rockies: Join Our Team
Want to do good with good people? Working at Food Bank of the Rockies is more than just a job. We work daily to ignite the power of community to nourish people facing hunger. If working to alleviate hunger sounds like the way you would like to spend your day, apply for one of our open opportunities!
Food Bank of the Rockies is an equal opportunity employer and offers paid time off, health, dental, and 401K benefits.
Open Positions Spotlight: Our Programs Team is Expanding
Food Bank of the Rockies’ Denver-based Programs Department is expanding our team to enhance the programs we offer to our partners.
- Community Nutrition & Wellness Administrator
- Culturally Responsive Food Initiative Representative
- Food For Kids Administrative Supervisor
- Food For Kids Representative
- Community Insight Representative
Please share these job descriptions with your volunteers and clients.
