FALL 2017

for thought

MAKING TOO MUCH AND NOT ENOUGH Imagine getting

ready for work every

morning in a tent —

climbing out, putting

on your business

suit, and commuting

to Boulder. Hard to

believe, but that was

Danielle’s reality for

two years. Among

the many evident

inconveniences of

being homeless, it

was difficult to avoid disruption in the middle of the

night. For Danielle, a full night’s sleep was critical:

“Being woken up by a cop’s flashlight at 2:00 AM

when you have a big business meeting the next day

was really problematic.”

Despite working full-time for a corporate franchise

company, Danielle’s salary is not enough to make

ends meet, so she has lived out of her car and tent.

It has been difficult to find help with housing: “I’m

in this no man’s land — I make too much to qualify

for many of the assistance programs, but eligibility

doesn’t account for certain expenses like my car

payment, insurance, cell phone bill, and taxes.” Once

the bills are paid, her priority is gas, because she

needs to get to work. “Gas is also my heating system

in the winter. There are times when there’s just

no money left for food.”

About a month ago, Danielle moved into a women’s

safe house in Boulder County. After enduring years

of verbal and emotional abuse from her partner, he

grew violent, and she sought a safe way to escape.

At the shelter, Danielle has stable access to food for

the first time in two years.

Groceries for residents are provided by Community

Food Share, including some of her recent favorites:

Izzio’s bread, peaches, cherries, and fresh herbs.

With a secure living situation, the food she needs,

and freedom from abuse, she is now working with

Colorado Coalition for the Homeless to secure

long-term or transitional housing. “I want to have

stability and to be in the driver’s seat of my own life.

I’m determined to see this through,” she shared. “I

know Community Food Share and its partner

food pantries are resources that I’ll have to

rely on while I’m getting back on my feet.

Having food will be so helpful, because that

saved money will go towards housing.”

We met Danielle because she recently volunteered

at Community Food Share with her co-workers.

She heard our staff explain: “Many people don’t

realize how prevalent hunger is in our community,

because it’s largely invisible. Most of the people we

serve are working families — they are your child’s

classmate, your neighbor, or even your colleague.”

Danielle nearly raised her hand to say, “That’s me.”

She remained quiet among her co-workers, but chose

to share this story with us, because she wants our

community to know that hunger is here, even if you

don’t see it. “We’re invisible because we make it

look like everything is fine.”

2

Michelle Orge

Executive Director

Another fiscal year has passed, and we are proud to share what we’ve accomplished with your help.

As an organization that works with food, we often use the measurement of pounds. This straightforward

metric can be used to describe our distribution activities during the last fiscal year: we provided nearly 10

million pounds of food to people in Boulder and Broomfield Counties, including 6.5 million pounds that went

out through our strong network of partner agencies. It can explain that program participants take home about

100 pounds of groceries when they visit our onsite pantry, Feeding Families. And pounds can describe the

amount of food we rescue each day that would otherwise go to waste — 14,125 pounds (7 tons).

Pounds can be impressive, but there is a story behind them. Seventy-nine percent of the food we distributed

last year was fresh produce, dairy, or high-protein foods. Our volunteer corps grew by 25%, allowing us

to launch our mobile pantry, reach 21% more seniors through our Elder Share program, and improve the

quality and quantity of food available to our partner agencies. We also launched a new bilingual website

with improved features for finding food assistance by distance, agency name, or category (pantry, meals,

emergency food, etc.).

We are already a few months into our new fiscal year, and the pounds continue to move. If you haven’t been

out to our warehouse (or haven’t been in a while) please come for a visit! Reading about the movement of

10 million pounds is one thing, but seeing it in action is quite another. To set up a tour, you can contact me

directly or visit www.communityfoodshare.org/tour.

Sincerely,

Our Mission

To eliminate hunger in Boulder and Broomfield Counties through engagement, collaboration, and leadership

Hello! a note from theExecutive Director

Our Vision

A hunger-free community

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HOW WE WORK

ANNUAL REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2017

HUNGER IS A REALITY FOR 1 IN 8 PEOPLE IN BOULDER AND BROOMFIELD COUNTIES

That’s 46,000 people (13% of the population), including nearly 12,000 children

(15% of the children in the two-county area)

Why We’re Here

Community Food Share receives donated food from local food businesses and farms. Without these partnerships, most of the food would go to waste.

Donated food is

supplemented with food

we purchase at low cost.

We annually distribute nearly 10 million pounds

of food through more than 40 non-profit organizations and through our onsite

and mobile pantries.

Together, we create a network

that provides enough food for

22,500 meals every day!

What We Do

66%PARTNER AGENCY DISTRIBUTIONMost of our food is distributed through

a network of more than 40 local non-profit organizations.

34% COMMUNITY DISTRIBUTION

We also provide food directly to families, seniors, and other individuals in need

through our onsite and mobile pantries.

Where Does the Food Go?

FOOD RESCUECommunity Food Share rescues safe, surplus food from going to waste so that it can instead help nourish those struggling with hunger. Retail grocers, farmers, producers, distributors, and food service operators donate food that is not profitable to sell, close-dated, overstocked, seasonal, or cosmetically damaged.

We rescue 7 tons of food a day that would otherwise go to waste.

That’s equivalent in weight to 70 baby elephants!

Where Does the Food Come From?

5% GOVERNMENT COMMODITIES

We receive some of our food through federal progams

that are overseen by the United States Department

of Agriculture.

5% PURCHASED FOOD

To supplement donations and meet the nutritional needs of those we serve, we leverage national and

local relationships to purchase food at the lowest possible price.

90% DONATED FOOD

Most of the food is donated through food rescue, but we also receive it from

local farms and community food drives.

FALL 2017

44

ANNUAL REPORT CONTINUED

THIS YEAR’S ACCOMPLISHMENTSFood Distribution

ENOUGH FOOD FOR 22,500 MEALS A DAY

22.5k

79% WAS FRESH PRODUCE, DAIRY, OR HIGH-PROTEIN FOODS

79%

Volunteers

EQUIVALENT TO 20 FULL-TIME STAFF

20

42,500 HOURS DONATED

42.5k

9% more food DISTRIBUTED THAN LAST YEAR

10 million POUNDS OF FOOD

4,500 INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEERS

25% more VOLUNTEERS THAN LAST YEAR

Programs

6.5 million POUNDS DISTRIBUTED TO PARTNER AGENCIES

$11.3 millionVALUE OF FOOD

DISTRIBUTED LAST YEAR

ADDED A MOBILE PANTRY TRUCK

TO OUR FLEET

21% growth

IN SENIORS SERVED THROUGH ELDER SHARE

PROGRAMLAUNCHED A BILINGUAL WEBSITE TO SUPPORT

OUR SPANISH-SPEAKING PARTICIPANTS

ANNUAL REPORT CONTINUED

5

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

96% of donations go directly to support hunger relief efforts in Boulder and Broomfield Counties

SUPPORT & REVENUE

Food Donations & Other Non-Cash Support $17,512,853

Contributions $1,242,214

Grants $254,935

Government $122,210

Special Events (Net) $1,142,676

Earned Income $156,326

CASH SUBTOTAL $2,918,361

TOTAL $20,431,214

Based on audited financial statements ending June 30, 2017.

EXPENSES

Food Distributed & Other Non-Cash Expenses $17,552,963

CHANGE IN NET ASSETS -$177,369

Program Services $2,182,840

Fundraising $469,077

Administration $403,703

CASH SUBTOTAL $3,055,620

TOTAL $20,608,583

FALL 2017

6

Food and fund drives provide nutritious food and vital operating funds to Community Food Share, while raising awareness of hunger issues in our community.

TIPS FOR CONDUCTING A SUCCESSFUL FOOD & FUND DRIVE

Volunteer Spotlight

On retirement, Terry says, “You have a choice: you can

get out and do something, or you can sit at home.” Terry’s

impressive eight-year tenure as a volunteer certainly shows

which choice he made. Every Tuesday and Thursday, you’ll

find him behind a pallet jack, pulling orders for our partner

agencies. When asked what keeps him coming back, he

shared, “It’s good exercise that keeps me active, and I’ve

gotten to know the staff and volunteers. There’s a group of

us who volunteer on the same days, and we have a good

time together...We argue about football!”

Terry Mattison

We encourage you to collect funds as part of your drive, because for every $1 you raise, we can provide 3 meals!

$1 = 3 meals

What to CollectA list of our most-needed nonperishable food items is available at www.communityfoodshare.org/collect. We also encourage you to collect funds as part of your drive, because for every $1 you raise, we provide 3 meals. We will happily track donations and report the total to you.

Promoting Your DriveWe will provide collection barrels upon request. Visit www.communityfoodshare.org/fooddrive for our complete Food Drive Planning Guide, including marketing materials.

Getting StartedRegister using our online form at www.communityfoodshare.org/fooddrive.

Volunteer Spotlight

7

Kristine, Analog Engineer, enjoys scheduling volunteer

shifts for Plexus Engineering Solutions employees, “I really

like seeing our group come together and hang out away

from work. A lot of people bring their families.” Plexus also

holds fundraisers, offers a match for employees’ donations,

and competes in Corporate Challenge. Zach, Senior Site

Director, said, “This combination of personal involvement

and financial support not only amplifies the impact [we] can

have, but also cements [our] connection to the community

at an individual and personal level.”

Plexus Engineering Solutions

FAMILY VOLUNTEER DAYS DURING WINTER BREAK‘Tis the season to volunteer as a family! We’re happy to offer additional family volunteer shifts while school’s out.

Shifts are 9-11 AM and 1-3 PM on the following dates:

• Monday, November 20

• Tuesday, November 21

• Wednesday, November 22 (9-11 AM only)

• Wednesday, December 20

• Thursday, December 21

• Friday, December 22

• Thursday, December 28

• Friday, December 29

Please sign up in advance at www.communityfoodshare.org/holiday-volunteer.

VolunteerBuild teamwork among your employees while giving back! We especially need volunteer groups in January and February (2-30 people). Details and registration information available at www.communityfoodshare.org/groups.

Other Options for Corporate Partnership this SeasonMake a year-end corporate gift, become an event sponsor, or coordinate a food and fund drive. To learn more, visit www.communityfoodshare.org/corporate or contact Susan Finesilver, Director of Strategic Partnerships, at sfinesilver@communityfoodshare.org or (303) 652-3663 ext. 209.

Our Corporate Partnership Program offers ways to get involved in the fight against hunger. The benefits include corporate recognition and employee engagement. co

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FALL 2017

650 S. Taylor Avenue Louisville, CO 80027 (303) 652-3663 www.communityfoodshare.org

Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00-5:00 Feeding Families (onsite pantry): Wednesday, 10:00-3:45 | Thursday & Friday, 8:30-1:45 Small Food Donations Accepted in Main Office: Monday-Friday, 8:00-4:30 Dock Receiving Hours (large food donations): Monday-Friday, 8:00-3:00 (Questions? Call our food procurement manager at (303) 652-3663 ext. 211)

/communityfoodshare

@commfoodshare

/CommunityFoodShareOrganization

Charity Navigator’s Highest RatingCommunity Food Share is proud to have received the highest rating—four stars—by Charity Navigator, America’s premier independent evaluator. We have received this honor for 13 consecutive years, which places us in the top 1% of charities nationwide. The rating reflects Community Food Share’s sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency.

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Upcoming Events

12.5.2017

COLORADO GIVES DAY Tuesday, December 5 — Colorado Gives day is an annual statewide movement to increase philanthropy

in Colorado through online giving. Last year, Colorado Gives Day raised $33.8 million for Colorado

non-profits!

Get Involved — Donate at www.coloradogives.org/communityfoodshare. Donations made to Community

Food Share on Colordao Gives Day qualify for a boost from the $1 Million Incentive Fund, thereby

increasing the value of every dollar you donate. You can also pre-schedule your donations beginning

November 1, 2017.

COMPETE TO BEAT HUNGER CORPORATE CHALLENGEMay 2018 — Plan now for next year! This is a friendly competition among local companies to raise

dollars and collect food.

Get Involved — Contact Susan Finesilver, Director of Strategic Partnerships,

at sfinesilver@communityfoodshare.org or (303) 652-3663 ext. 209.

Our MissionTo eliminate hunger in Boulder and Broomfield Counties through engagement, collaboration, and leadership.

$1 = 3 meals