Donor Recognition
Congratulations, and a big "Thank You" to the following donors recognized at the 2007 Blue Jean Ball:
Donor of the Year - Strohauer Farms
Agricultural Donor - Martin Produce
Innovative Donor - Anders Farms
Community Donor - Meadow Gold
Donor Partner - McLane Western
Corporate Food Challenge 2007
An amazing total of 6,507 pounds of food $27,952.61 were collected. Although StarTek once again swept the trophy categories, it was by no means a landslide victory. Watch out next year, others have their eyes on the prize! pictures
Nicole Hurt Declared Public Health Champion
April 3rd, 2007 - The Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment recognized Nicole Hurt, Weld Food Bank Agency Relations and Child Programs Manager, as a community member making strides toward a healthier community. Nicole was awarded the title Public Health Champion for her efforts involved with the Weld Food Bank BackPack program for local school children. "I really see her as a public health champion, especially for our children," said Melissa Martin, Greeley-Evans School District 6 health coordinator.
Every child should have the opportunity to come to school ready to learn on Monday morning. But some students, especially those who rely on free and reduced lunch programs during the week, may come to school hungry, complaining of dizziness and stomach aches. This can make learning very difficult. That is why Weld Food Bank, in partnership with the Greeley Dream Team, provides over 500 back packs per week to Weld County students. These back packs are filled with nutritious, easy to prepare food, that the kids can take home and eat over the weekend.
If you would like more information on the BackPack Program, or to find out how you can help, contact Nicole at 356-2199 x302.
Food Bank Director Given National Award
March 1, 2004 – On Sunday, February 22, 2004, in Washington D.C. Leona Martens, Executive Director of the Weld Food Bank was awarded the Dick Goebel Public Service Award from America’s Second Harvest, the nations largest hunger relief organization. This national award was created in 2001 in honor of Mr. Goebel and his many years of public service. The award is given to individuals who exemplify public service to their communities, extensive public policy advocacy, and tireless energy and creativity in developing solutions to help reach increasing numbers of hungry people in their service area.
“Leona Martens personifies the spirit of public service,” said Douglas O’Brien, Vice President of Public Policy and Research at America’s Second Harvest. “Not only has Leona been a leader in local efforts to end hunger in Weld County, but she has been a tireless advocate on behalf of national policies that help low-income, needy individuals and families. Her enthusiasm, kindness and generosity of spirit have been great assets for America’s Second Harvest and for hungry people across the country.”
Mrs. Martens, originally from Nebraska, moved to Windsor in 1986 and served as the Executive Director of the Weld County Chapter of the American Red Cross before assuming her role at the Weld Food Bank in 1990. Mrs. Martens graduated from the University of Nebraska, and has done graduate work and is a published author. Leona has served on the national Board of Directors for America’s Second Harvest, the past president of the National (CSFP) Commodity Supplemental Food Program Association, serves on the legislative committee for ACDA (American Commodities Distribution Association and is active with the Colorado Food Bank Association.
Weld Food Bank Honored for Excellence in Colorado
December 6, 2002 - The El Pomar Foundation Awards for Excellence presentation honored 33 outstanding nonprofits, of which the Weld Food Bank was named as winner of the R.J. Montgomery Award for Human Services – Self Sufficiency. William J. Hybl, Chairman and C.E.O. of El Pomar Foundation, announced the winners and finalists to an audience of over 1,000 Colorado community leaders on December 4th 2002, at The Broadmoor Hotel International Center in Colorado Springs, CO.
El Pomar Awards for Excellence is a unique program designed to recognize and reward excellent organizations that are affecting positive changes in the state of Colorado. Established by El Pomar Foundation in 1989 in order to honor the outstanding achievements of Colorado’s nonprofits. Each year a winner and two finalists are selected in eleven categories that reflect specific areas of service in the nonprofit sector. These categories include Arts & Humanities, Community, Education, Environment, Health Care- Large Facility, Health Care- Small Facility, Human Services- Seniors, Human Services- Self-Sufficiency, Special Projects, Sports & Recreation, and Youth Development.
Organizations are nominated by and voted upon by the Awards for Excellence Selection Commission.
The commission consists of 16 distinguished Coloradoans, each of whom holds a position of leadership in their respective communities. The members are appointed by the Trustees of the El Pomar Foundation and are chosen from throughout Colorado to insure that all areas of the state are represented in the nomination process.
After an organization is nominated, the organization sends specific information to the Awards for Excellence staff, who then prepare the information for the Selection Commission voting meetings, which occur each spring and summer. With all information in hand, the Selection Commission evaluates the nominated organization according to the following criteria:
- The organization’s community impact
- Effective use of resources
- Commitment to their mission
- Degree of success with program implementation
- Overall Excellence of the organization
One organization, Project Angel Heart from Denver, was named Most Outstanding Nonprofit, and received $25,000 along with the Julie and Spencer Penrose Award. Project Angel Heart serves the greater Denver community by providing nutrition, care and compassion to individuals with life-threatening diseases.
Each year, in addition to honoring excellence in organizations, Awards for Excellence honors three exceptional individuals in the state of Colorado. Presented earlier this year, the winner of the Wendelken Special Trustees’ Award, which recognizes a spirit of giving and service to the community, is Tom Collins of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The 2002 winner of the Shrine of the Sun Award for the outstanding nonprofit professional is Roger Goodwin with Saint Joseph’s Hospital Foundation in Denver. Walter and Georgia Imhoff, from Denver, are this year’s winners of the Russell T. Tutt Award for their excellence in leadership.
This year, we are proud to introduce the Governor John A. Love Award to recognize those businesses that improve the quality of life for Coloradans through a commitment to the nonprofit sector. The 2002 winner of the Governor John A. Love Award is PRACO, Public Relations and Advertising Company, from Colorado Springs. The owners, Jim and Nechie Hall and George Olson will donate their $5,000 award to the Steven Stearman House at Penrose Hospital.
El Pomar Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the Rocky Mountain West with assets totaling more than $450 million dollars. Each year, El Pomar contributes approximately $20 million through direct grants and operating programs to support Colorado nonprofit organizations involved in the arts and humanities, health, education, civic and community issues, and human services. El Pomar Foundation was founded by Spencer and Julie Penrose in 1937.
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