Food Bank of the Rockies
View this message on our website.
Food Bank of the Rockies

Dear Friends,

 

As many people around the world were asked to stay home and distance when the pandemic hit, we were called to continue to serve our communities with strength, compassion, and a whole new set of safety guidelines. To meet this call to action, I found that acknowledging small instances of gratitude helped me overcome obstacles to push forward and be of service. 

 

Here are a couple of the smaller moments that allowed our team to help you serve your community this past year:  

 

  • 5:00 a.m. mornings with the transportation team, trying to decide what time would be best to get on the road for the freshly plowed streets.
  • Seeing familiar volunteer faces at our warehouse and sharing thoughts on the most recent distributions to get a fresh take on how to best proceed with the new drive-through model.
  • Creating a recipe card with our sourcing team for produce to encourage our clients not to throw away unfamiliar items. 

 

I am grateful for all of the work you, our Hunger Relief Partners, have put into fostering this environment of service. As Mobile Pantry Representative, I know how tiring and emotionally and physically draining it can feel to continue responding to the increased need in our communities. I hope you all find gratitude in the small, yet mighty moments you share with your staff, volunteers, and clients. Our mobile pantries could not distribute food without your help and collaboration. 

 

As the colder months and holidays approach, we’re preparing for a spike in client turnout at our distributions. If you are interested in volunteering, please visit our online volunteer sign-up to check out some of the opportunities we have for you.

 

With gratitude,

 

Kate Budd
Mobile Pantry Representative  

 


Important Dates to Know

 

As the holiday season continues, please keep our business closure schedule in mind as it will affect ordering and access to the Fresh Food Center in the next few months. Please check out the December Calendar for important closure information.

 

Here are some additional important dates:

 

  • Thursday, December 16: Virtual partner orientation, 1:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, December 18: EverGreen Box™ food distribution at 45th Ave. location, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
  • Monday, December 20: Link2Feed Training 1:00–2:30 p.m.
  • Friday, December 24: Closed
  • Thursday, December 30: Pick-ups and orders will be accepted up to 12:00 p.m.; the Fresh Food Center will close at 12:10 p.m.
  • Friday, December 31: Closed

 

For our full calendar of important dates, please refer to the annual calendar.

 

If you have any questions, please contact our Partner Support Team: partnersupport@foodbankrockies.org.

 


Holiday Meals from Gay and Lesbian Fund for Colorado

 

We are grateful for the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado, a program of the Gill Foundation, for a grant to help fund holiday meals. This is the second year that the fund has generously ensured that families and individuals in our communities have food to celebrate the season. Their commitment to addressing food insecurity continues to positively impact our region as the winter season commences. 

 

 

Gay and Lesbian Fund of Colorado Photo.jpg

 



Colorado Legislators Visit All Five Feeding Colorado Food Banks

 

During the month of November, members of the Colorado General Assembly were invited to volunteer at Feeding Colorado member food banks across the state. All five Feeding America network food banks hosted a volunteer day for our state legislators. Approximately one quarter of the legislature was able to participate. Legislators packed and sorted food, scooped kidney beans, bagged apples, and served our clients, their constituents, at this statewide coordinated event. Thank you to the Members of the General Assembly who gave their time at a food bank. 

 

For more information about our advocacy and public policy work, please contact Effie Rorke at erorke@feedingcolorado.org or visit www.feedingcolorado.org.  

 

 

Legislators Volunteer Photo-3.jpg




Partner Highlight: A Welcoming Culture – Manna Care

 

At Manna Care, the food pantry associated with Cherry Hills Community Church, guests are welcomed in for assistance, and leave with a sense of community. The Manna Care pantry is intentionally designed to encourage guests to stay and chat. The focus of this effort is the hospitality area, where guests and volunteers can have a cup of coffee, enjoy a hot meal, or take a seat at the table to form connections with others. When guests are ready to shop, they are introduced to a volunteer shopper who will walk them through the resources available.

 

For Manna Care, it is important that the wellness of the whole person is addressed during their visit. Nicole Forshey, the Local Mission Director for Cherry Hills, explained that “being available to hear and understand guests’ stories is imperative.” In addition to fresh, nutritious groceries, Manna provides free haircuts, on-site assistance with signing up for Medicaid and SNAP benefits, connections to financial assistance or mental health counseling services, and offers an opportunity for prayer. Manna’s investment in the whole client has paid off. Guests often mention that they visit not just for the quality of food, but for the quality experience. 

 

To learn more about ways that you can create a welcoming culture at your food pantry, pick up a copy of Reinventing Food Banks and Pantries by Katie S. Martin. The first 100 partners who submit their receipts to partnersupport@foodbankrockies.org will receive a $25 food credit on Partner Express.

 

 

Manna Care.jpg

 



Feliz Navidad: Holiday Foods on Partner Express

 

There are several popular foods in Latino and Hispanic cultures that are used to celebrate the winter holiday known as Navidad. One popular dish is tamales, for which we have ingredients available on Partner Express. 

 

Find the whole list of culturally respectful items available on Partner Express by searching “Culturally Responsive” in the filter. We are working hard to keep inventory stocked for all your Navidad needs. As a reminder, all foods on Partner Express are available first come, first served.

 

Find out more about how to use Partner Express and the Navidad holiday on the Partner Resource page in the Partner Portal: foodbankrockies.org/partner-portal/partner-resources 

 

 

Work Study Collaboration

 

The Food for Kids Team and Culinary Kitchen are excited about a brand-new partnership with Arrupe Jesuit High School Corporate Work Study Program. The Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP), in which students fill entry-level positions in various career fields, is an integral part of the Arrupe Jesuit education. The CWSP experience provides an opportunity for economically underfunded students to access a college-preparatory education while giving partner organizations a hiring alternative for entry-level office positions.

 

Student workers Jose, Jeremiah, and Bryan will each work one day every week and rotating Fridays through early June. This will help provide additional staffing consistency in Food Bank of the Rockies’ Culinary Kitchen while allowing the students to learn skills for future career development.  

 

All three students are excited to help Food Bank of the Rockies accomplish their mission.

 

 

Paul and student.jpg

 



New Year? Time to Join the Link2feed Network.

 

The most recent Partner Pulse Survey focused largely on Service Insights software systems. The survey prompted respondents to consider which features and functionalities they would like to see if they made the switch to a Service Insights platform like Link2Feed. 

 

The most highly ranked feature was the ability for people to self-register or complete client intake online prior to a food distribution.

 

Link2Feed has a client self-enrollment tool called CNCT (“Connect”). CNCT allows clients to enter their information ahead of their first visit or while waiting in line. When a client completes their profile, they are provided with a Client ID number. This Client ID number can be presented to a trained Link2Feed volunteer, and the client’s services can be recorded faster than the standard intake method. 

 

Ready to implement Link2Feed? Sign up for a training today. 

 

Want to learn more about how Link2Feed can help your organization? Email L2F@foodbankrockies.org to schedule a personalized demonstration.

 


Technical Capacity Building Grant Application to Support Link2feed Roll Out

 

Food Bank of the Rockies has secured funding to support partners with upgrading and purchasing new technology. The funds are specifically available for partners interested in implementing Link2Feed. Recipients of this technology must commit to training sessions, and roll out Link2Feed within a timely manner of receiving the equipment. Applications are processed on a first come, first served basis, with priority given to TEFAP partners. Maximum allotment is $3,000 per Hunger Relief Partner. 

 

If you have any questions regarding this opportunity, please contact Zia O’Neill at 720-715-7725 or L2F@foodbankrockies.org.

 

Download: 2021_CO_Tech_Capacity_Building_Application.pdf

 

 

Inclement Weather Closures

 

As we move into the winter season, please be aware that Food Bank of the Rockies may make closure determinations. Closure information will be posted on our website, social media, and our phone messaging system. Please refer to the following guidelines for pick-ups and deliveries:


For Scheduled Pick-Ups: Day of Closure


  • Partner Support will contact all partners with a scheduled pick-up on the closure day
  • Partners will have three (3) business days from the original pick-up date to reschedule or product will be restocked
  • Emails and texts will be sent to all partners with a pick-up on the day of closure if they are unable to be reached by phone


For Scheduled Deliveries: Day of Closure


  • Partner Support to contact partners about a canceled delivery
  • Delivery will be rescheduled as soon as weather permits and per the schedule as communicated by Transportation Manager
  • Partner Support will communicate reschedules to affected partners

 

Please also ensure that any necessary accommodations have been made for all volunteers and clients to remain safe and warm while attending a distribution.

 


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 401(k) benefits.

 


Open Position Spotlight: Sous Chef

 

The Sous Chef helps support Food Bank of the Rockies’ Culinary Kitchen and Food for Kids teams. Food Bank of the Rockies is a sponsor of the USDA Child and Adult Food Program and Summer Food Service Program, and follows outlined nutrition standards. Food Bank of the Rockies provides fresh and frozen unitized meals to various partners including Boys and Girls Clubs, the YMCA, and afterschool programs. 

 

The Sous Chef assists the Executive Chef in ensuring maximum satisfaction through planning, organizing, directing, and controlling kitchen operations. The successful candidate will exhibit culinary talents by personally performing tasks and assisting in leading staff and volunteers in the kitchen, specifically in the realm of expanding operations to include afternoon and evening shifts and managing food operation-related functionalities. Apply today.

 

 

FOLLOW US
Follow Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Follow Us on LinkedIn Follow Us on Instagram
10‌700 E. 45‌th A‌ve., Den‌ver, C‌O 802‌39
Tel: 303-371-9250
© 2024 Food Bank of the Rockies.
All rights reserved.
Food Bank of the Rockies is a
U.S. registered charity EIN #8‌4-077‌2672

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Powered By Blackbaud