For the last eight years, retired teachers Laney and Duncan Howard have dedicated their time, talents and hearts to the kids at Lago Vista Mobile Home Community in Loveland. What started as a small reading program with 10 or 20 kids has grown into a successful year-round program supporting up to 150 kids each year. The program ramps up in the summer providing a variety of activities three mornings each week, including reading, art, chess and outdoor recreation designed for children ages 5 and up. In addition to the activities designed to support academic, social and emotional success for elementary students, Laney and Duncan developed a leadership program for the community’s middle and high school students. This year, they have 16 kids in the leadership training program— more than ever. They treat it like a job, with an application, an interview and required hours. Kids receive a “small stipend” at the end of the summer for completing the program.
Edwin is one of 16 kids in the leadership program at Lago Vista.
Edwin, age 13, has been in the leadership program for three years and says, “It’s fun. It’s a great way to learn about being a leader and being responsible. You get to help the [younger] kids with reading and homework and play games.”
The Food Bank for Larimer County is proud to partner with Lago Vista community and has been providing Kids Cafe meals and snacks since 2014. According to Laney, the Kids Cafe food really makes a difference for many of the kids in the community. “When kids come in the morning for a snack, a lot ask if they can take food home for dinner.” She says it makes her feel good to know they are getting one good meal. Tacos are especially popular and almost every child asks for seconds … or thirds. “Shawn would eat 3rds or 4ths of everything if he could. He’s hungry all of the time, things are pretty rough at home,” shared Laney.
“I love the food,” shared 17-year-old Lydia. “The tacos are really good. That’s my favorite. Or anything with salad, vegetables, fruit—I’m all for it!”
Making a Difference
During their second summer at Lago Vista, Loveland Police visited the mobile home community manager and said: “what are you doing here?” Lago Vista had been infamous for vandalism, fights and other criminal activity, but that summer there had been only one incident reported. The park manager attributed the change to Laney and Duncan’s investment in the community. And that’s not the only difference they’re seeing. At the end of the 2016-17 school year, Laney received an email from the Dean of Loveland High School sharing that 15 out of the 16 seniors in the community graduated. In a community where 90+% of the kids qualify for free and reduced lunch, that graduation rate is unheard of – the district and statewide rate is around 67%.
Laney credits their success to creating an atmosphere where it’s ok to learn and study. They’ve also established a program called Graduation and Beyond for high school students. It includes a monthly speaker and a scholarship program that can be used for any continuing education, it’s not restricted to college. She’s really proud of the students they’ve worked within the community who are now attending the University of Northern Colorado, working on welding certification and going to cosmetology school.
“It’s a small program, but growing and we trust we are making a difference,” said Laney.
Lydia’s Story
Lydia is 17 and has been in the leadership program at Lago Vista for several summers. She has grown in maturity and social skills to the point that she has been hired as a paid summer staff member, a position usually reserved for college students. She works 13.5 hours per week. Home life isn’t easy, her parents are divorced and her dad is a vet and has cancer, so she’s currently living with a friend.
“The leadership program, for me, it’s grown me to be a more mature young lady. I like being there for the kids and helping them with school.” Her sister “used to do this job, but she’s in college now.”
Making A Difference for the Kids at Lago Vista
/in News, Programs /by foodbankFor the last eight years, retired teachers Laney and Duncan Howard have dedicated their time, talents and hearts to the kids at Lago Vista Mobile Home Community in Loveland. What started as a small reading program with 10 or 20 kids has grown into a successful year-round program supporting up to 150 kids each year. The program ramps up in the summer providing a variety of activities three mornings each week, including reading, art, chess and outdoor recreation designed for children ages 5 and up. In addition to the activities designed to support academic, social and emotional success for elementary students, Laney and Duncan developed a leadership program for the community’s middle and high school students. This year, they have 16 kids in the leadership training program— more than ever. They treat it like a job, with an application, an interview and required hours. Kids receive a “small stipend” at the end of the summer for completing the program.
Edwin is one of 16 kids in the leadership program at Lago Vista.
Edwin, age 13, has been in the leadership program for three years and says, “It’s fun. It’s a great way to learn about being a leader and being responsible. You get to help the [younger] kids with reading and homework and play games.”
The Food Bank for Larimer County is proud to partner with Lago Vista community and has been providing Kids Cafe meals and snacks since 2014. According to Laney, the Kids Cafe food really makes a difference for many of the kids in the community. “When kids come in the morning for a snack, a lot ask if they can take food home for dinner.” She says it makes her feel good to know they are getting one good meal. Tacos are especially popular and almost every child asks for seconds … or thirds. “Shawn would eat 3rds or 4ths of everything if he could. He’s hungry all of the time, things are pretty rough at home,” shared Laney.
“I love the food,” shared 17-year-old Lydia. “The tacos are really good. That’s my favorite. Or anything with salad, vegetables, fruit—I’m all for it!”
Making a Difference
During their second summer at Lago Vista, Loveland Police visited the mobile home community manager and said: “what are you doing here?” Lago Vista had been infamous for vandalism, fights and other criminal activity, but that summer there had been only one incident reported. The park manager attributed the change to Laney and Duncan’s investment in the community. And that’s not the only difference they’re seeing. At the end of the 2016-17 school year, Laney received an email from the Dean of Loveland High School sharing that 15 out of the 16 seniors in the community graduated. In a community where 90+% of the kids qualify for free and reduced lunch, that graduation rate is unheard of – the district and statewide rate is around 67%.
Laney credits their success to creating an atmosphere where it’s ok to learn and study. They’ve also established a program called Graduation and Beyond for high school students. It includes a monthly speaker and a scholarship program that can be used for any continuing education, it’s not restricted to college. She’s really proud of the students they’ve worked within the community who are now attending the University of Northern Colorado, working on welding certification and going to cosmetology school.
“It’s a small program, but growing and we trust we are making a difference,” said Laney.
Lydia’s Story
“The leadership program, for me, it’s grown me to be a more mature young lady. I like being there for the kids and helping them with school.” Her sister “used to do this job, but she’s in college now.”
September is Hunger Action Month
/in Featured /by Kate SheltonHunger exists in every county in the U.S., affecting 48 million Americans including 15 million children. Food Bank for Larimer County along with the Feeding America nationwide network of food banks believes that hunger IS solvable and we are leading the fight to end it. We are asking everyone in America to take action to fight hunger in their community, all month long.
Hunger Action Month™ is your opportunity to get involved and make a lasting impact.
Hunger Action Month is an opportunity for YOU to help end hunger in our community!
Top 10 Ways to Take Action during Hunger Action Month
1) Donate; $1 = $5 worth of food.
2) Take a tour the Food Bank. Or Invite a Food Bank staff member to speak to your office, church group or civic organization.
3) Volunteer at the Food Bank.
4) Join us for the Taste Benefit 2017 in support of the Food Bank for Larimer County.
5) Follow us, share us and love us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram #fblc.
6) Wear orange on Thursday, September 8 to help raise hunger awareness.
7) Participate in the Empty Plate Campaign (See Below)
8) Plant It Forward! Drop off your extra garden produce at the Food Bank.
9) Start your own fundraising campaign; donate your wedding or birthday or other special occasion. Visit www.foodbanklarimer.org for details.
10) Join our Feeding Us Forward Giving Community as a monthly donor. Just $5 a month can provide $300 worth of food to a neighbor in need.
What Can’t You Do on an Empty Stomach?
For the nearly 43,000 Larimer County residents who face hunger, an empty stomach makes it difficult to reach their full potential. Without fuel and nutrition, people – kids especially – do not have the energy to focus, learn, grow and ultimately, succeed. This month, we are asking you to help raise awareness with our Empty Plate campaign. Whether through a simple tweet, Facebook post or a conversation with friends and family, please help us spread the word about the realities of trying to “run on empty.”
Nine Ways to Give Back This Summer
/in News /by Kate SheltonThe good news is there’s a lot you and your family can do to help kids facing hunger this summer. In between the pool parties and summer getaways, find time to give back with these fun activities for your family.
As many as 1 in 3 children in our community are at risk of hunger. The Food Bank for Larimer County feeds thousands of kids every year who would otherwise not know where their next meal will come from. Please consider donating to help us end childhood hunger.
Adapted from a Feeding America article by Brooke Still
2017 Corporate Food Fight Results
/in News /by Kate SheltonThe event runs the entire month of April, but each company designs their own campaign timeline. Some companies do a simple food drive while others host a food-based event like a bake sale or chili cook-off. This year, some got down-right creative and hosted a poker tournament and a food truck rally! Over the course of the last 18 years, food fighters have raised well over $1,200,000 to provide food assistance for children, seniors and families in Larimer County.
2017 Corporate Food Fight Champions
Grand Champion: NVIDIA
Impact Award: Davis Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors
Corporate Champion: AMD
Community Champions: Verus Bank of Commerce and Woodward
Newcomer Award: Madwire
“We are so grateful to all of the participating companies for their support,” said Heather Buoniconti, Chief Development Officer, Food Bank for Larimer County. “While it’s about competition, our food fighters pour their hearts, souls and creativity into raising food and funds with the goal of ending hunger in our community.”
Corporate Food Fighters in 2017 included: Action Staffing Solutions, AMD, Broadcom, Caliber Collision, Choice Organics, Comcast Spotlight, Co’s BMW Center and Mini of Loveland, Davis Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, Encompass Medical Partners, First National Bank, First Western Trust, FirstBank, HPE, HPI, Infinite Wellness Center, Intel Corporation, Kind Care, Liberty Tax Service, LPR Construction, Madwire, MM Solutions, Northern Colorado Commercial Association of Realtors, NVIDIA, Odell Brewing Company, Platte River Power Authority, Premier Regenerative Stem Cell and Wellness Center, Prosci, Smokey’s 420 House, Tolmar, Inc., UCHealth, Verus Bank of Commerce, Woodward, Inc., Xcel Energy.
Meet Craig – Loveland’s Food Share Manager!
/in News /by Kate SheltonAs the Food Share manager, he works with his staff to set up the floor based on the available food donations. It’s a balance of making sure all the goods are given out while they’re at their freshest, without running out before the Food Bank closes for the day. “I try to end up with one extra loaf of bread every day, and nothing else.”
Read more
Kids Cafe Summer Schedule
/in Featured, Programs /by Kate SheltonThis summer, the Food Bank will serve healthy, made from scratch meals for children ages 5-18 at thirteen sites throughout Larimer County. Through the Kids Cafe program, the Food Bank expects to serve 55,000 meals and 20,000 snacks this summer. On average, the program will provide a record-setting 1,400 meals per day.
“Even if hunger is temporary, its impact can last a lifetime,” said Liz Donovan, Nutrition and Programs Manager, Food Bank for Larimer County. “Children who miss breakfast and lunch ar
e more susceptible to health and wellness issues. Hunger can also impact academic success and behavior. Through our Kids Cafe program, we’re working hard to give more kids the nourishment they need to thrive.”
Thanks to a generous $50,000 grant from Northern Colorado Unify, the Food Bank for will be expanding its Kids Cafe’s capabilities to include Food Truck service at three CARE Housing communities in Fort Collins. Community Kitchen Manager, Justin Kruger, worked with a local company to retrofit a used truck to meet the Food Bank’s specific needs. “I’m really excited about the options the new truck provides us,” said Kruger. “We know that there are thousands of kids who receive free lunch during the school year who don’t have a consistent source for meals during the summer,” said Kruger. “Our new food truck will go a long way towards helping us feed more kids in the summer.”
The Kids Cafe will be at the following locations this summer:
1303 W. Swallow Rd.
June 12 – August 4
626 Quaking Aspen Dr.
June 12 – August 4
400 Butch Cassidy Dr.
June 12 – August 4
4100 Caribou Dr.
June 5 – August 4
11:30am-12:30pm (Lunch)
Students Only
1600 Lancer Dr.
June 5 – August 4
11:30am-12:30pm (Lunch)
Students Only
1608 Lancer Dr.
June 5 – August 11
11:30am – 12:15pm (Lunch)
3815 W. Harrison Ave.
June 5 – August 11
2-3pm (Snack)
2500 E. 1st St.
June 5 – August 11
2:30-3pm (Snack)
1505 Brodie Ave.
June 5 – August 4
3-4pm (Snack)
400 S. Link Ln.
June 6 – August 3
2130 W. Horsetooth Rd.
June 1 – August 11
3-4pm (Snack)
Students Only
420 E. 57th St.
May 30 – July 27
11:30am-12pm(Lunch)
574 E. 23rd St.
June 5 – July 28
Click here to learn more about our childhood hunger initiatives and consider supporting our summer meal program and the Food Truck by donating to the Food Bank for Larimer County.
Everything Worth Having, is Better Shared
/in Programs /by Kate SheltonLexi grows fruits and vegetables every year in her home garden. She mentioned, “It never fails that I end up with way more tomatoes than one person can consume, believe me, I tried.” She’s tried freezing them and making them into the sauce, but no matter what, Lexi always ended up with excess. “Knowing that I could share my fresh produce with the Fort Collins community gave me the opportunity to give back to Larimer County in a significant way.”
Lexi has been involved with Plant it Forward since the beginning. Originally she began as a donor, “I had extra produce the first year, and I made a few donations to the program.” The following summer, Lexi took on the role of a Neighborhood Champion, a volunteer from the area who agrees to transport the produce to drop off locations, and she hasn’t looked back. “I eagerly plant my neighborhood sign out front each spring and wait for others to ask me what it’s for. I love sharing the Plant it Forward mission and encouraging others to participate. I now grow 2-3x what I used to grow so that I can contribute as much as I can to the program and ultimately, to the wonderful community of Fort Collins. I only wish I had more raised beds!”
Lexi mentioned her favorite part of participating in the program is how good she feels about giving back. “Growing my own food is rewarding in itself, but being able to share that with others – nothing that gives me more warm fuzzies. I love knowing that I’m growing local, sustainable, healthy AND delicious vegetables that I can share.” Lexi Plants it Forward because it, “Provides me an opportunity to do something I already enjoy while giving back to the community. Everything worth having is better shared.”
Lexi Plants it Forward, will you? Your donation will help feed neighbors in need leading to a healthier and more vibrant community for all. Plant it Forward is made successful by backyard gardeners of all levels and of all donation sizes coming together to fight hunger in our community. Click here to learn more about the program and how you, too, can participate.
Why Sharon Plants it Forward
/in Featured, News /by Kate SheltonPlant it Forward is a partnership between the Gardens on Spring Creek and the Food Bank for Larimer County. All gardeners are invited to plant an extra row to fight hunger in our community. Share your bounty with children, families, and seniors in need of food assistance and help end hunger.
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Karen Plants it Forward… Will You?
/in News /by Kate SheltonWhen Karen retired, she began devoting more of her time to her love of gardening. Through her work with the Gardens on Spring Creek, she learned about Plant it Forward and immediately felt it was a natural fit for her passion for gardening and her desire to give back to the community that has given so much to her. “I connected all the dots and recognized, I want to garden more. This program gives me a good reason to and it goes to a good cause. It is perfect for me.”
Since the beginning, Karen has been an amazing ambassador for the program. She began small and last summer, she was able to grow over 1,000 pounds of produce to donate to the Plant it Forward program. She uses her large garden plot to grow everything from early season crops of lettuce, peas, and spinach to squash, peppers, onions, beets, kale, and much more. She is also a Plant It Forward Champion, meaning she collects donations from gardeners in her neighborhood to drop off at the Food Bank.
She wished more people knew about the program and how easy it is to participate. “Even if folks don’t have a big garden or extra produce to donate, every little bit helps.”
According to the USDA , “people who eat more vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases.” Your donation will help feed neighbors in need leading to a healthier and more vibrant community for all. Plant it Forward is made successful by backyard gardeners of all levels and of all donation sizes coming together to fight hunger in our community. Karen Plants it Forward, will you? Click here to learn more about the program and how you, too, can participate.
Hunger Doesn’t End – Why Food Share Manager Works Hard Everyday
/in News /by Kate SheltonJan is the Fort Collins Food Share Manager at the Food Bank; every day she brings her infectious smile and warm hugs because she knows the face of hunger. “Jobs don’t pay enough and people just don’t have enough to afford to pay bills and feed their families. I’ve been there, my children have been there, my granddaughter is there. Hunger doesn’t end.”
She fights hunger by serving as the manager of Fort Collins Food Share, a grocery store-like operation where people can come ‘shop’ for food, at no cost, when they struggle to have the resources to cover their basic needs. Her team is made up of two full-time employees and 6-8 volunteers, daily. Together they set up Food Share and manage the check-in and distribution process. She also trains volunteers and helps answer any guest questions about the process and available foods.
The Food Share program is one of the nation’s largest, client-choice, fresh food pantries. Jan and her team work to distribute fruits, vegetables, bread, meat, and dairy to over 14,000 residents each month. Individuals qualify for Food Share based on gross monthly income. The goal is to provide each person with enough food for at least one meal per day.
“My favorite part of my job has to be the children,” said Jan. “I have had the opportunity to form many great relationships. I look forward to seeing them and I think they look forward to seeing me, too”. Regardless of age, Jan enjoys talking to all guests and knows hearing their stories is a great privilege. She’s proud of the report she and her team have been able to establish with many guests. “An important part of my job is to recognize that we’re here to listen to what they have to say and hear their stories; it’s more than just giving them food.”
Another major facet of her job is customer service. Not only does she want every guest to find something they can eat, regardless of their cooking facilities, but also to feel welcome. “We want everyone to know that we’re happy they’ve come!”
One of Jan’s most poignant stories from her time working in Food Share is of a little girl and her mom. The mother was in poor health and the girl was usually very hungry when they arrived. Jan always tried to make sure to get her something to eat while her mother shopped. One time, the girl said to Jan, “If something happens to my mom, you’ll be here to take care of me and my baby brother.”
As a result of stories like this and her daily interactions with guests, Jan feels very proud to be working in Food Share. She notes, “It’s great to know that most everyone is really grateful for our services. They all leave with a shopping cart full of food and a happy face.”