December 14, 2004 - Swift & Company Makes Major Contribution to Weld Food Bank
November 18, 2004 - Give a Child a Chance to Give – Visit Santa at Weld Food Bank’s Capital Campaign Open House
November 16, 2004 - Contributions Needed by December 31 for Weld Food Bank Capital Campaign – $300,000 in Challenge Grants at Stake
March 1, 2004 Food Bank Director Given National Award
February 9, 2004 Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell Delivers USDA Food
Swift & Company Makes Major Contribution to Weld Food Bank
December 14, 2004 - Swift & Company have been a substantial supporter of the Weld Food Bank and our community and they are responding to both the short term and long term needs of Weld Food Bank. Immediately, Weld Food Bank needed food to help respond to the increased number of people seeking emergency food assistance and Swift & Company will be donating 20,000 lbs. of ground beef to the food bank on Friday December 17, 2004. Addressing long term solutions to hunger in our community and responding to the increased needs required a facility that is much larger and designed for those functions, Weld Food Bank therefore began a capital campaign to address this increased need. The building at 1108 H. Street only looks finished on the outside and Swift & Company announced yesterday that they will donate $75,000 over 3 years to assist in this community-wide effort to complete the new food bank. Because of the support of Swift & Company and their generous pledge, we are much closer to meeting the $300,000 challenge grants offered by Adolph Coors, Kresge and Gates Family Foundations. Weld Food Bank still needs $220,893 in gifts or pledges from our community in order to meet the December 31st deadline for these challenge grants. Weld Food Bank and the clients and agencies we serve are very grateful for the significant amount of support from our community during this holiday season.
Give a Child a Chance to Give – Visit Santa at Weld Food Bank’s Capital Campaign Open House
November 18, 2004 - Children and those young at heart are invited to bring Santa their wish lists and to give to those less fortunate at the Weld Food Bank’s Capital Campaign Open House. The open house is being held on Sunday, December 12th
from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the food bank’s new warehouse at 1108 H Street just north of Island Grove Park in Greeley. Donations will go towards the $270,000 in community contributions needed to complete the organization’s $2.5 million capital campaign, and will ensure eligibility for $300,000 in challenge grant funds if received before the December 31 deadline.
“While our children share their wish lists and have their picture taken with our jolly Santa, they can also learn the joy of giving to a growing number of low-income neighbors who must have hunger relief,” states Leona Martens, executive director of Weld Food Bank. “Our new warehouse only looks finished on the outside, “ she adds. “Additional funds will help us complete the inside so we can move in and better serve our growing number of agency partners and food recipients. Nearly half are children, while one third of the adults are taking care of someone in poor health, and one third are fully employed.”
Those wishing to donate $100 or more towards the capital campaign may contact Martens at 970-356-2199 about a 25% tax credit available through the Enterprise Zone.
Contributions Needed by December 31 for Weld Food Bank Capital Campaign – $300,000 in Challenge Grants at Stake
November 16, 2004 - With $300,000 in challenge grants at risk, December 31 is the deadline for donations towards Weld Food Bank’s $2.5 million capital campaign in support of the construction of a new warehouse. To complete the last phase of the project, $270,000 in community contributions and pledges must be received by the deadline to ensure eligibility for the challenge grant funds. Those wishing to donate $100 or more may contact Weld Food Bank executive director Leona Martens at 970-356-2199 to inquire about a 25% tax credit that is available through the Enterprise Zone.
The Kresge Foundation, the Gates Family Foundation, and the Adolph Coors Foundation have offered challenge grant funds. Outright capital campaign grant gifts from other foundations and corporations are expected to complement community funds raised to meet the $2.5 million goal.
“As one third of our emergency food assistance recipients are caring for someone in poor health, one third are employed, and nearly half are children, we are happy to have had such a terrific show of support to date,” states Jeff Bedingfield, co-chair of the Weld Food Bank capital campaign. “Supporting the food bank is one way we can take care of our own in Weld County. Still, we only look finished on the outside, and we need our donors’ support to help us obtain that last 1% in funding so we can take advantage of the challenge grants offered.”
The Weld Food Bank capital campaign was initiated in June 2002 by the organization’s board of directors to expand operations and accommodate the escalating need for food assistance in Weld County. In the past year, the food bank provided its 100 partner agencies with more food than ever before, while providing food through direct distribution to more than 10,000 individuals in any given month. In addition, the organization will have had a 19 per cent increase in the overall number of emergency food assistance clients this year.
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.
Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell Delivers USDA Food
February 9, 2004 – On Saturday, February 7, 2004, Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell delivered the first semi-load of USDA Commodity food to the new Weld Food Bank warehouse. Local dignitaries, county commissioners and food bank board members were also in attendance.
USDA Commodity Food is a vital source of nutrition to those who are in need, especially the children and elderly. As a crusader for the hungry, Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell is a valued partner – working with the agricultural community and the Weld Food Bank for efficient use of our nation’s food resources. When handed a can of pineapple, representing the first can donation to the new location, Senator Campbell said, “I came from a tough childhood and sometimes this can of food would serve as a meal.” In his speech to those in attendance, Senator Campbell also said, “I look at this wonderful building and I commend those who were involved with it. Although the appropriations committee is always a challenge, I plan to do my part in helping to fight hunger and therefore, supporting the Weld Food Bank. Congratulations to all of you that have helped make this expansion of Weld Food Bank a success.”
