2008 Woodie Awards
Weld Food Bank contributes to Thanksgiving spirit
Organization collects 10,757 pounds of food, 410 turkeys for residents
Magdalena Wegryzn
Issue date: 11/19/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
The holiday spirit was in full swing on Saturday as representatives from the Weld Food Bank collected 10,757 pounds of food to help families in need of extra help during Thanksgiving.
This is the 15th year the food bank has sponsored a food drive for the holiday season.
"It just puts you in the right mindset for the upcoming season," said Sarah Alessi, the event and volunteer coordinator of the Weld Food Bank.
Representatives and volunteers from the food bank were at six different locations in Greeley to collect food from shoppers as they exited the stores. There were volunteers and employees at several King Soopers, Safeways and Wal-Marts.
The Safeway at 3526 W. 10th St. had the help of Miss Colorado, Kimberly Schaeffer. Schaeffer, who won the title from the National American Miss, was on site to hand out flyers and collect food.
"My goal as Miss Colorado is to have a positive impact," said Schaeffer, a sophomore nursing major from Mesa State College. "I have one year to make an impact and this is a great way to do it."
Schaeffer said most of the people they encountered were willing to help the organization.
"Some people even came back out to ask us for more flyers," Schaeffer said.
Schaeffer's roommate Jacqui Frantz, who came to help at the event, agreed. She said she decided to help because she believed in the mission of the food bank.
"There's a lot of families who can't afford to have a Thanksgiving dinner," said Frantz, a sophomore nursing major at Mesa State College. "It's really nice to have a place to provide that."
All the food collected on Saturday will be sorted at the food bank and tested for safety. The food will then be distributed to 112 non-profit agencies in Weld County. These agencies range from churches to day cares, which will use the food for Thanksgiving meals, baskets and other projects.
In addition to helping families in need, the food drive also helps Greeley residents learn about the services of the Weld Food Bank.
"What would you do if your house burned down tomorrow?" Alessi said. "What would you do?"
The Weld Food Bank is there for anyone who needs food. If someone loses their home and do not have enough money to eat out, the Weld Food Bank will fulfill their hunger needs.
She said publicity from the food drive helps people answer some of those questions.
While the goal of the drive was to collect food, Alessi said all donations were appreciated.
"We'll take anything," Alessi said, noting that people could donate food, money and toiletries. "You never know what you're going to get."
Based on the number of requests they have received, the Weld County Food Bank hoped to collect 530 turkeys. At the end of the day, 410 turkeys were collected. While the group did not reach its original goal, Alessi said $973.71 was donated. That money will be used to buy the additional turkeys to make up the difference.
"It was definitely a success," Alessi said.
This is the 15th year the food bank has sponsored a food drive for the holiday season.
"It just puts you in the right mindset for the upcoming season," said Sarah Alessi, the event and volunteer coordinator of the Weld Food Bank.
Representatives and volunteers from the food bank were at six different locations in Greeley to collect food from shoppers as they exited the stores. There were volunteers and employees at several King Soopers, Safeways and Wal-Marts.
The Safeway at 3526 W. 10th St. had the help of Miss Colorado, Kimberly Schaeffer. Schaeffer, who won the title from the National American Miss, was on site to hand out flyers and collect food.
"My goal as Miss Colorado is to have a positive impact," said Schaeffer, a sophomore nursing major from Mesa State College. "I have one year to make an impact and this is a great way to do it."
Schaeffer said most of the people they encountered were willing to help the organization.
"Some people even came back out to ask us for more flyers," Schaeffer said.
Schaeffer's roommate Jacqui Frantz, who came to help at the event, agreed. She said she decided to help because she believed in the mission of the food bank.
"There's a lot of families who can't afford to have a Thanksgiving dinner," said Frantz, a sophomore nursing major at Mesa State College. "It's really nice to have a place to provide that."
All the food collected on Saturday will be sorted at the food bank and tested for safety. The food will then be distributed to 112 non-profit agencies in Weld County. These agencies range from churches to day cares, which will use the food for Thanksgiving meals, baskets and other projects.
In addition to helping families in need, the food drive also helps Greeley residents learn about the services of the Weld Food Bank.
"What would you do if your house burned down tomorrow?" Alessi said. "What would you do?"
The Weld Food Bank is there for anyone who needs food. If someone loses their home and do not have enough money to eat out, the Weld Food Bank will fulfill their hunger needs.
She said publicity from the food drive helps people answer some of those questions.
While the goal of the drive was to collect food, Alessi said all donations were appreciated.
"We'll take anything," Alessi said, noting that people could donate food, money and toiletries. "You never know what you're going to get."
Based on the number of requests they have received, the Weld County Food Bank hoped to collect 530 turkeys. At the end of the day, 410 turkeys were collected. While the group did not reach its original goal, Alessi said $973.71 was donated. That money will be used to buy the additional turkeys to make up the difference.
"It was definitely a success," Alessi said.
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