Many adults can identify with the challenges of trying to focus on work tasks when they haven't had breakfast or skipped lunch. Lisle Reed, the coordinator with Whole Child Initiatives at Adams 12 Five Star Schools, wants people to imagine the same situation but for children with growing bodies and developing brains. "They can enter a classroom with everything they need. They can have the very best teachers with the very best curriculum," Reed said, "but if they don't have food it is not possible for them to access the learning in the way that their peers can."

Empowering Students to Reach Their Full Potential

Addressing the Hunger Crisis in Colorado Schools

The Denver metropolitan area is no stranger to the challenges of food insecurity, with many families struggling to provide their children with the nourishment they need to thrive. This issue has only been exacerbated by the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving an increasing number of students without access to reliable sources of food. In the 27J School District, the community and family outreach coordinator, Desiree Quintanilla, has witnessed a troubling trend. In the 2023-2024 school year, the district tracked 594 students who met the federal definitions for coming from homeless families, a number that has since risen to 693 as of this month.

The Birth of Food for Hope

It is against this backdrop that the nonprofit organization Food for Hope has emerged as a beacon of hope for children and families in need. The organization's origins can be traced back to a decade ago, when Adams County church pastor Ruben Villarreal had a big idea to address the growing issue of food insecurity in his community. From those humble beginnings, Food for Hope has grown into a comprehensive program that provides weekend food bags, "school fuel" snack programs, and dispersed food pantries to serve more than 4,000 kids and members of their households across four school districts in the northeast metro area.

Expanding Reach and Impact

As the organization has grown, its leaders have found innovative ways to expand its reach and impact. One prime example is the dispersed food pantries, which were born out of a need to provide dairy products and other fresh items that wouldn't keep in the weekend food bags. When Northglenn High School offered up some extra space, Food for Hope seized the opportunity, and the initial pantry was an instant success. This model has since been replicated, with the nonprofit now operating nine pantries in schools and other buildings run by its client districts.

Overcoming Challenges and Driving Expansion

Despite the progress made, Stromquist, Food for Hope's executive director, knows there is still a significant amount of unmet need among the county's kids and families. The organization recently moved into its own rented warehouse space in August, allowing it to better distribute food items after years of operating in makeshift spaces donated by local churches. Now, the nonprofit is in the early stages of a two-year fundraising campaign, hoping to bring in $2 million to further expand its reach. "We have 17 different schools on the waitlist for the various programs," Stromquist said, underscoring the growing demand for their services.

Fostering Trusting Relationships and a Sense of Belonging

The impact of Food for Hope's programs extends beyond just providing food. Quintanilla, the community and family outreach coordinator for 27J Schools, has seen firsthand how the organization's support has helped build trusting relationships between families and the district. "I think, honestly, it builds trusting relationships," Quintanilla said. "When you have families and students who know that their schools care that deeply about equitable learning, they are more likely to attend school, and they are more likely to feel that connection and that they belong." Reed, from the Adams 12 district, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the integral role Food for Hope plays in fostering a sense of belonging and connection within the community.