Community Events
January
February
Empty Bowls Fort Collins ~ A SIGNATURE EVENT
For 15 years, Empty Bowls Fort Collins has brought art to your table and food to the community. Working to increase awareness of hunger in Larimer County, the event raises funds and community support for the Food Bank for Larimer County. The event offers guests the opportunity to select a pottery bowl made by students in the Poudre School District or by a local artist and enjoy signature soups provided by dozens of local restaurants. In addition to bowls made by students in Poudre School District, many bowls are also created by the artists of the City of Fort Collins’ Pottery Studio and the Northern Colorado Pottery Guild. These bowls will be included as guest bowl selections and as silent auction items. Empty Bowls has grown from offering five signature soups in 1998 to over twenty soups in 2012.
Scouting for Food Drive – Longs Peak Boys Scouts of America
Longs Peak Council Boys Scout troops hit the pavement the last Saturday in February to collect non-perishable food for the 24th annual Boy Scouts of America’s “Scouting for Food” drive. More than 1,000 boys from 50 Longs Peak Council Boy Scout Troops and Cub Scout Packs participate in this popular food drive.
March
Great Plates of Downtown Fort Collins
The Downtown Business Association (DBA) collected over $20,000 for the Food Bank for Larimer County during the 2012 Great Plates of Downtown event. This popular event provides the public with opportunities to support the Food Bank for Larimer County by encouraging attendees to “leave their change” after enjoying the great dinner specials during the two week event in Downtown Fort Collins. The partnership developed when local restaurant owners expressed interest in giving back to the community following the overwhelming success of Great Plates. In the first year of the partnership, Great Plates raised $6,700 for the Food Bank. During Great Plates of Downtown 2012, 30 downtown restaurants participated...raising over $20,000 for hunger relief.
April
Corporate Food Fight
The Food Bank for Larimer County throws a counterpunch to hunger during the month of April with the Corporate Food Fight. Over 20 organizations throughout Larimer County compete against each other to raise the most funds and food. The Food Bank for Larimer County organizes this drive during a time when food and cash donations begin to wane after the winter holiday season. In 2011, the Corporate Food Fight raised nearly $90,000 and 30,000 pounds of food. Corporate winners included NVIDIA, Poudre Valley Health System, and AMD.
THE TASTE – A SIGNATURE EVENT
With flavorful food, complementing beverages and a passion for helping the hungry and homeless, Fort Collins’ top chefs, restaurants, wineries, and breweries gather for “THE TASTE.” This annual fundraiser provides support to fight hunger and homelessness in this community. All proceeds directly benefit the Food Bank for Larimer County and Neighbor to Neighbor, two of the area’s largest non-profit organizations designed to provide resources for the hungry and homeless.
May
Stamp Out Hunger - National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive
Stamp Out Hunger! is the nation’s largest single-day food drive. In 2012, drive organizers exceeded last year’s record-setting total of 73.4 million pounds of donated food, as well as surpassed one billion pounds of food collected over the history of the drive. In Larimer County, nearly 80,000 pounds of food was collected in this one-day drive.
June
9 Cares…Colorado Shares
In June and November each year, hundreds of people throughout Colorado visit 9News sites to drop off food and clothing for those in need. Locations in Larimer County generated more than 22,000 pounds of food to help those struggling with hunger in Larimer County.
August
KUNC Tuna Fish & Peanut Butter Concert
For 25 years, KUNC 91.5 Community Radio for Northern Colorado has been organizing the Tuna Fish & Peanut Butter Concert to benefit Food Bank for Larimer County and Weld County Food Bank. Music for the evening showcases diverse Colorado artists while guests bring canned goods and donations to support their local food bank. The event is free to attend making it a wonderful family friendly way to enjoy a summer evening.
September
Hunger Action Month
Hunger Action Month makes it easy for everyone to get involved in the fight to end hunger in America. The Food Bank for Larimer County is encouraging simple actions to take during the month of September to fight hunger locally.
October
Cans Around the Oval at Colorado State University
Cans around the Oval is the largest community food drive benefiting the Food Bank for Larimer County. More than 150 different CSU campus and community organizations participate in this event each October to bring in much needed food for hunger relief programs at the Food Bank. Annually, this drive collects over 100,000 pounds of food and more than $25,000. This event is sponsored and organized by the Student Leadership, Involvement, and Community Engagement (SLiCE) office at CSU.
November
Empty Bowls Loveland – A SIGNATURE EVENT
Empty Bowls Loveland fills the community with hope in November. Working to increase awareness of hunger in Larimer County, the event raises funds for the Food Bank for Larimer County. Hosted at the Embassy Suites in Loveland, the event offers guests the opportunity to select a pottery bowl made by students in the Thompson School District or by a local artist and enjoy signature soups provided by area restaurants.
Coloradoan Food Drive
For 23 years, the Coloradoan Food Drive, sponsored by the Fort Collins Coloradoan, provides hunger relief for thousands of disadvantaged individuals and families in Larimer County. Non-perishable food or cash donations are accepted at several local grocery stores.
9 Cares…Colorado Shares
In June and November each year, hundreds of people throughout Colorado visit 9News sites to drop off food and clothing for those in need. Locations in Larimer County generated more than 22,000 pounds of food to help those struggling with hunger in Larimer County.
December
Bread-N-Boards
This annual fundraiser hosted and organized through Sears Trostel Lumber came back from hiatus in 2011 and came back strong to the tune of over $20,000 raised for hunger relief. Guests chose from thousands of custom made bread boards to purchase for holiday gift giving and were treated to certificates for a free loaf of bread at Great Harvest Bread Company. Traditionally, this event is held the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
City & County Food & Fund Drive
For 25 years, the City of Fort Collins, City of Loveland, and Larimer County have participated in the Food Bank for Larimer County’s Food & Fund Drive Competition, a competition pitting each organization against each other. From bake sales to holiday parties and burrito drives, each department utilizes different incentives and promotions to raise the most funds or food for the Food Bank for Larimer County. Together, these local government employees donated over 2,951 pounds of food and $31,000 in donations during the 2011 competition.