Denver Food Rescue

Producing health equity with Denver neighborhoods

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Speaker Biographies

Forward Food Summit 2017 Speaker Bios

Providing Translation:

Community Language Cooperative:? The Community Language Cooperative (CLC) provides interpretation services, public involvement and research consultation, and inclusivity and diversity trainings , provides quality, affordable interpretation and translation services ?to make community, academic and governmental events and meetings more inclusive and accessible to all stakeholders, but especially those that are not always present when decisions affecting their communities are made because of language barriers. The Cooperative provides services that through inclusion broaden opportunities for participation and increased community engagement by non-English speakers. CLC?s services make it possible for organizations and government agencies to make interpretation a standard component of important meeting and events that impact communities.

Providing Lunch:

Comal Heritage Food Incubator:??Comal Heritage Food Incubator is a social enterprise of Focus Points Family Resource Center, which serves the low-income residents of north Denver neighborhoods. Comal is a multi-purpose, shared food space that offers open-to-public lunch ?service and cultural activities. It is centered on the authentic family recipes from the members of our community. While serving the Denver community ?comida deliciosa, this kitchen incubator doubles as a holistic training program to teach community entrepreneurs technical culinary skills and business education. This ?learning while earning? model is what creates opportunity for income and cultural exchange with all members of the community!

Anti-Oppression Workshop Facilitator:

Celeste Razavi-Shearer-Spink, CO AIM: ?Celeste is a graduate of the University of Colorado Denver with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a Minor in Creative Writing and a Certificate of Fourth World Studies for the Study of Indigenous Law and Politics. She is a Hopi, Dineh, and Colombian anti-capitalist writer, artist and queer-do. Celeste is honored to be one of the leaders of the American Indian Movement of Colorado (CO AIM), carrying on a tradition of indigenous resistance to colonialism in all of its forms. She is grateful to support survivors of violence in the transgender, gender-nonconforming, queer, Two-Spirit, lesbian, bi-sexual, and gay communities for Survivors Organizing for Liberation (SOL). In her ?free time,? Celeste enjoys singing, dancing, basketball, baking, poetry and guerrilla gardening.

Speaking Up: Our Stories, Our Communities, Our Radical Solutions: Activity Facilitators:

?Mia Ramirez, The Colorado Trust:?Mia Ramirez, MPH is a Community Partner at The Colorado Trust where she works with Coloradans in cities, towns and neighborhoods across the state to encourage and strengthen resident- and community-led solutions and funding initiatives. She has over 15 years of community health experience working both nationally and internationally, from the grassroots level to the federal and international health agency level.?? Mia has previously worked in chronic disease, infectious disease, violence prevention and health equity at Kaiser Permanente Colorado, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Multnomah County Health Department.? Internationally, she has worked at the Pan American Health Organization in Chile to address gender-equity and at the Chol Chol Foundation providing micro credit loans to the indigenous Mapuche women.? She has a passion for improving community health, ameliorating health disparities and addressing the social determinants of health to improve health for all populations.

Michelle Larkins, PPCC:?Michelle Larkins (PhD Community Sustainability), is a gender researcher for the Global?Center for Food Systems Innovation, a United States Agency for International Development laboratory established for the purpose of creating, supporting, and strengthening food systems innovation to help aid in global food security. She has over ten years working on the intersections of gender, race, ethnicity and agri-environmental justice, with field experience working with smallholder farmers, farmworkers, and their families in domestic and international (specifically Uganda and Malawi) settings. ?Her recent research has focused on the experiences of women engaged in environmental and food justice action at the community level throughout the Rocky Mountain West, bringing to the foreground the accomplishment and embodiment of women?s labor. Previous worked included community based research with migrant Latinx families participating in seasonal agricultural work, and work as a Community Engagement specialist working on citizen action campaigns for water and soil pollution remediation in the Flint/Saginaw region of Michigan.

Afternoon Workshop Facilitators:

Doug Goodfeather, Lakota Way Healing Center:?Doug Goodfeather, member of the Lakota Nation of the Standing Rock Reservation, is a humanitarian who currently resides in Northglenn, Colorado. ?As the director of the Lakota Way Healing Center, he works with PTSD Veterans in suicide prevention, addiction, and homelessness, as well as prominent environmental issues. ?Doug, a veteran himself, believes that once you become a warrior, you are always a warrior, and commit to a lifetime of service. ?Through vision and dedication, he acts on a daily basis to help people in the Native American community and beyond.

 

Food Knowledge Between Generations Panel:

Neambe Leadon, Denver Food Rescue: Neambe Leadon was born in Philadelphia, PA, but has lived in Denver for most of her life. ?She attended Smiley Middle School and George Washington High School. ?She graduated from Florida State University with a BS in Interior Design Pre-Architecture. ?She is a certified Permaculturist, attended massage therapy school, served as a birth coach and researches alternative medicine in her leisure. ?She is passionate about Health Equity and Food Justice having co-written and facilitated a Sustainability through Personal Wellness curriculum from 2009-2013. ?She has been an educator for the Denver Museum of Nature and Science since 2013 and is 5 months into her new role as Program Director with the Denver Food Rescue.

Beverely Leadon, Mother to Neambe:?Beverely Leadon is from Kansas, moving to Denver in 1969. ?She attended Morey Junior High School and Manual High School. ?She graduated from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA with a BS in Business Merchandising. ?After graduation she worked at John Wanamaker?s for 2 years before returning to Denver, CO. ?In Denver, Beverely worked at Mountain Bell as a Human Resources Supervisor for 7 years. ??She worked as a Business Services Manager, after the company was bought by AT&T, for 10 years. ?She continued her work with Lucent/Alcatel-Lucent as a Market Development Manager for 11 years. ?She currently works with ResCare for the Denver Office of Economic Development as a Talent Development Specialist, helping people find employment. ?She is also a founder of the Up All Night Book Club, which has been active for the last 17 years. ?They provide scholarships, volunteer and support community activities.

Doris Jeffries, Grandmother to Neambe:?Doris Jeffries lived in Mississippi until age 5 and then moved to Kansas where she ?matriculated through high school. ?She came to Denver in 1969, here she attended Red Rocks Community College receiving her Associates Degree in Social Work. ?Doris also attended CU Denver where she received her BS in Education followed by a Masters Degree in Social Science. ?She worked in the C.A.D.R.E.C. (Community Alcohol, Drug Rehabilitation Education Center) for 15 years, and then a private company through Clayton College in Social Work for 10 years. ?She has also dabbled in jewelry making and furniture design, working out of Selman?s shop on Welton Street for the former. ?She is retired, but for the last 11 years, has given of her time as a substitute teacher for Denver Public Schools.

Selasia Leadonvita ? Oldest daughter to Neambe Leadon, age 7

Libya Leadonvita ? Second daughter to Neambe Leadon, Age 5

Brittni Laura Hernandez:?Brittni Laura Hernandez is currently a Middle School Reading teacher at Ricardo Flores Magon Academy. She is also a full time bruja and healer, using food and energy work to heal her community. Previously, Brittni Laura was a part of the Denver Food Rescue family as the Volunteer Coordinator and briefly as the Program Manager. She graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2013 with a degree in Ethnic Studies and Social and Environmental Justice. She was born and raised in Greeley, Colorado in her family?s chile and vegetable garden, where she spent a lot of time learning from her grandparents about food, family, and community. Brittni Laura is named after her grandmother and is so excited to share this space with her today!

Laura Archibeque, Grandmother to Brittni: Laura Archibeque is a proud mother of seven, grandmother of twelve, and great grandmother of six. Like many brown women, she is the center and foundation of her family. Everyone is welcome in Laura?s home, and no one can leave without eating! Laura was born in Trinidad, Colorado and grew up in the small town of Pierce, Colorado. After establishing her family, Laura worked 13 years as a secretary before deciding to turn to what she really loved ? cooking. Laura had been catering part-time, so it seemed natural to expand this work into a restaurant. In 1987, Laura and her family opened the Mirasol Mexican Restaurant in downtown Greeley, Colorado. The restaurant became very popular and people still ask Laura to this day if she will ever open again. Laura always emphasized freshness in the kitchen at the Mirasol. Sopapilla dough was made in small batches and used immediately. Menudo was made in just the right amount to meet demands. And of course, her famous Green Chile was homemade AND homegrown. Laura and her family still cultivate and harvest their own Mirasol green chile every year; tending to the land, their souls, and their stomachs!

?

Sadie Boonin is a 14-year old 8th grader at Summit Middle Charter School. She enjoys reading, watching musicals, babysitting and crafting. She also enjoys spending time with her hilarious and quirky family and friends. She aspires to be a lawyer for the ACLU or another human rights non-profit. She is deeply connected to her Jewish faith, culture and community. ?She lives with her mother, father and cat in South Boulder. She has an older brother who lives in Massachusetts.

Harriet Boonin, Grandmother to Sadie:?Harriet Boonin is an 80 year-old mother of three, and grandmother of six ( amazing ) grandkids. She has been married to their father/grandfather for more than 58 years, and is a retired high school teacher who has been active in politics since Harry Truman ran for President! ?She is also deeply connected to her Jewish roots, culture and community through faith, learning, social justice and ? yes? food! ?She grew up in a kosher home, and although she does not now keep a kosher home, she is grateful for the teachings she learned of the laws of kashruth ? treating animals humanely and sharing the bounty of the fields. ?Two of her children, one daughter-in-law and three grandchildren are vegetarians, and she has actually learned some things from them over the years.

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Denver Food Rescue
3840 York St Ste #245
Denver, CO 80205

Contact
(720) 510-9139
info@denverfoodrescue.org

Volunteer Line: 303-968-1727 call or text
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We always need volunteers on Mondays and Wednesday We always need volunteers on Mondays and Wednesdays. Most of the shifts are car shifts. If you have a car, you can help us rescue and redistribute food to our community. Please contact tsiky@denverfoodrescue.org for more info! 

Thank youuuu 💚
Community working fo the community! Today, we pack Community working fo the community! Today, we packed up over 225 bags of fresh food and we certainly couldn’t do it alone! Thank you for showing up! #community #volunteer #freshfood #foodpacking
Today we worked with community organizer Andrea Lo Today we worked with community organizer Andrea Loudd to pack over 225 bags of fresh food to distribute to the residents of Villa Park and surrounding neighborhoods for the holidays. 

So many people worked to make Andrea's vision happen, including teams from @lifespan_local, @denverhumanservices, Denver Department of PublicHealth & Environment, @letsnourishco, @councilwomantorres Office, Southwest Food Coalition, and an incredible group of volunteers. #denver #community #fresh #food #access #senior #volunteerwork
Instagram post 17971702777939408 Instagram post 17971702777939408
DFR Executive Director Letisha Steele moderated a DFR Executive Director Letisha Steele moderated a panel on strategies for mitigating stigma and nourishing community at the Colorado Food Summit. #denver #foodsummit #leadership
In 2020, DFR partnered with the Denver Health East In 2020, DFR partnered with the Denver Health Eastside (Five Points) and Westside (Sun Valley) clinics to provide No Cost Grocery Programs. Originally, the program was designed to serve the families enrolled in the Mind, Exercise, Nutrition, Do It! (MEND) program, which targets kids 6-13 and their families, providing experiential nutrition and exercise workshops. However, because of the covid-19 pandemic, the No Cost Grocery Programs expanded to serve their surrounding communities. Thank you for all you do! 💚#nocostgroceryprogram #partners #25dayofdfrcommunity
WOW. Yesterday you helped us raise A LOT of money WOW. Yesterday you helped us raise A LOT of money for our communities. Passed out from all the fun and maybe forgot to donate? No problem! You can still donate! Link in Bio  #coloradogivesday #thankful #denver #foodrescue #supporters #youarethebest
Our mission is to increase health equity with Denv Our mission is to increase health equity with Denver neighbors while decreasing food waste and we can’t do that without your help. There is still time to donate for #ColoradoGivesDay, we ask you to give a little in order to help a lot! Thank you for your support! 💚 #healthequityforall #nofoodwaste
Today is the DAY! #ColoradoGivesDay is officially Today is the DAY! #ColoradoGivesDay is officially underway and YOU have helped us reach 20% of our goal of raising $60,000! Every dollar counts, please give any amount you can to support health equity in Denver. 💚 #coloradogivesday #healthequitynow #foodsovereignty #nofoodwaste
https://www.coloradogives.org/Denverfoodrescue
🥳 Today is the DAY! #ColoradoGivesDay is offici 🥳 Today is the DAY! #ColoradoGivesDay is officially underway, and we are ready to make good happen. Start off your day by investing in Colorado! 💚 #coloradogivesday #healthequitynow #foodsovereignty #nofoodwaste
DFR's first new No Cost Grocery Program in 2021 wa DFR's first new No Cost Grocery Program in 2021 was in partnership with @spiritofthe.sun a Colorado nonprofit partnering with Native American communities across the nation to develop new opportunities for tribes and Native American individuals. Spirit of the Sun is founded on the belief that effective and sustainable development work recognizes the intersections of culture, community, economy, and health, and that true success is only possible through collaboration. DFR provides mainly produce, prepared food, fish and meat to this NCGP, which serves around 55 families per week. Thank you for all you do! #25daysofdfrcommunity #denver #nocostgroceryprogram #partners
💚 The moment we’ve all been waiting for is HE 💚 The moment we’ve all been waiting for is HERE! The best day of the year is officially here - Colorado Gives Day 2022! Who have you donated to?? Tag
them! 🥳
Today’s the day! Colorado’s most important day Today’s the day! Colorado’s most important day of giving has kicked off, and Coloradans are coming together to celebrate the nonprofits that strengthen our communities. Did you know that DFR rescued 600,000 and is on the right track to save a little more this year? Every dollar helps, and just $20 per day can help provide fresh food to our Denver neighbors. So we need your help to keep the effort moving. Scan QR code to learn more!

#denverfoodrescue #ColoradoGivesDay2022
#ColoradoGivesDay
#CGD2022
And we’re off! #CGD2022 is tomorrow and your don And we’re off! #CGD2022 is tomorrow and your donation can help put us over the edge to help our neighbors, and our community. Can we count on your donation? 💚
@projectworthmore (PWM) is a nonprofit organizatio @projectworthmore (PWM) is a nonprofit organization that seeks to improve the quality of life of Denver-area refugees by providing cultural mentorship and community supports. The Food Share Program at PWM was created in response to the lack of access to affordable fresh fruits and vegetable for refugees in Metro-Denver. In order to offer culturally-relevant and healthful food, only fresh produce is accepted. 25-30 families per week receive food from this program. Thank you for all you do 💚  #25daysofdfrcommunity #denver #fooddistribution #partners
What we can do on our own is important, what we ca What we can do on our own is important, what we can do together is extraordinary. As we near Colorado Gives Day 2022 your donation ensure we can continue our impact. #coloradogivesday2022 #denver #healthequity #nofoodwaste 💚
We want to THANK all of our dedicated monthly memb We want to THANK all of our dedicated monthly members! For their commitment to our cause. These generous souls provide $10, $15, $20, and $50 every month to support us in empowering communities to increase health equity and rescue fresh produce from landfills. Regular giving of any amounts helps DFR sustain existing No Cost Grocery Programs, expand to new locations, and innovate best practices in food rescue and redistributions. We truly appreciate your support💚! #25daysofdfrcommunity #denver #foodrescue #donors #hightlight
💚 Colorado Gives Day is a day of celebration. B 💚 Colorado Gives Day is a day of celebration. By supporting us increasing health equity and decreasing food waste in Denver, you can help us celebrate too 🥳
Really beautiful produce from @wedontwaste 💚 #d Really beautiful produce from @wedontwaste 💚 #denver #freshfood #donor #healthequity #nowaste
The moment we’ve all been waiting for is ALMOST The moment we’ve all been waiting for is ALMOST HERE! Just * 5 DAYS REMAINING* till Colorado Gives Day 2022. To whom will you be donating? Tag them!
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Hyper-local, direct redistribution of surplus whole fresh fruits & vegetables to resident led No Cost Grocery Programs in Denver.

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denverfoodrescu Denver Food Rescue @denverfoodrescu ·
16 Mar

Proud of Maya, our Community Engagement Coordinator, for testifying in support of SB-188 to protect Gender Affirming Care & Reproductive care in Colorado! Thank you for your advocacy, Maya! #DFR #SB188 #Colorado https://www.tiktok.com/@ya_girl_maya27/video/7210946891859627306

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denverfoodrescu Denver Food Rescue @denverfoodrescu ·
9 Mar

Denver Food Rescue celebrates the 9NEWS Leader of the Year at the Leading Colorado event - honoring a community champion for their dedication to making a positive impact on local neighborhoods. Congratulations to 2023 Leader Of The Year Vanecia Kerr 🎉#leadingcolorado https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1633951945559019520

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If you need groceries, check out our partner no cost grocery programs and also our public food programs.

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Heart & Hand

Heart & Hand is dedicated to improving the lives of at risk youth and their families. Through high quality out of school time programming, we empower all children and families with the skills, information, and resources they need to create and realize their dreams. By investing in consistent and compassionate support for our children and families, we strive to disrupt the cycle of poverty and close the opportunity gap.

Heart & Hand serves 100, low-income youth in Denver’s 5 Points neighborhood. What makes Heart & Hand unique is our model of long term, intensive support. Our students come day after day, year after year, because they are known and nurtured in the Heart & Hand family. Daily programming ensures students develop the resources that research shows are critical for long term success: relationships with trusted adults, supportive peer networks, a safe after school environment, academic support, empowerment programming, and social-emotional skill building.

Heart & Hand families are grateful to Denver Food Rescue for the supply of fresh fruits and vegetables we receive on Wednesdays at our after school program site. This nutritious bounty is especially valuable to our many food insecure families.

Program Details:
Open to?Heart & Hand families

The Cope Club

As one of the most well-known youth organizations in the country, Boys & Girls Clubs provide young people with The Cope Club serves nearly 1,000 members each year and participates in a variety of community events. The Club also features the Teen Center equipped with computer stations, books and research resources, and serves as a quiet place for teens to concentrate on their studies and have fun. They have had a No Cost Grocery Program since 2015.

Program Details:
Open to Cope Boys & Girls Club families
808 Inca St, Denver, CO 80204
Mondays 3pm to 9pm

Boys & Girls Clubs

As one of the most well-known youth organizations in the country, Boys & Girls Clubs provide young people with opportunities to engage in programs that help them achieve academic success, take charge of their health by building healthy habits that will stick with them throughout their lives, and foster the skills they need to become leaders in their communities.The Vickers Boys & Girls Club provides services to young people in the area, providing a place from them to learn, grow and succeed in life. They have had a No Cost Grocery Program set up for youth and their families who participate in the program since September of 2014.

Program details:
Open to Vickers Boys & Girl Club parents & families

Clayton Early Learning

A major proving ground for all things early childhood, Clayton Early Learning is Colorado?s leading catalyst in providing early care and education, and collaborating with others to improve these important services. Our work focuses on ensuring optimal development during the critical birth-to-5 period for all children, especially those of limited opportunities. We succeed in closing learning gaps of disadvantaged children through a powerful model unique to Clayton Early Learning that harnesses the synergy of four dynamic initiatives ? research, practice, training, and advocacy.

Specifically, the Food for Families committee at Clayton Early Learning was created as a result of high levels of food insecurity among families we serve. Our committee aims to provide nutritious food for all families and staff, as well as nutrition education and cooking skills. Our partnership with Denver Food Rescue allows staff and families to access healthy fruits and vegetables, to trade new recipes with others, and encourages them to try new foods!

Program details
Open to Clayton Early Learning families

 

The GrowHaus

The GrowHaus is a nonprofit indoor farm, marketplace and educational center in Denver’s Elyria-Swansea neighborhood. ?Our vision is a world where all communities have the means to nourish themselves, and our mission is to create a community-driven, neighborhood-based food system by serving as a hub for food distribution, production, education, and economic development.

The GrowHaus partners with DFR to provide an educational grocery program every Monday. In this innovative community- led program, participants engage in a creative cooking class, and strengthen community ties by sharing a delicious meal together, all alongside the free distribution of healthy food. Our MOVIL (mobile) grocery program delivers these free grocery items to nearly 20 home-bound neighbors each week (usually by bike!). These programs also provide job opportunities for several residents of our neighborhood.

Program?Details:
Open to the public

The GrowHaus 4751 York St, Denver, CO 80216
Mondays at 11:00 am

Birdseed Collective

Birdseed Collective is a small community & arts non-profit organization directed by two former long-time residents of Globeville. One of their goals is to create opportunities for positive community and artistic programs in the Globeville neighborhood and Denver more generally. With years of experience in implementing many projects and programs, Birdseed Collective and volunteers have committed to running a weekly resident-based food distribution program called ?The Globeville Free Healthy Food Distribution and Preservation Program.? Through collaboration with Denver Food Rescue who redistributes the healthy food to Globeville, our Monday distribution program at the Globeville Recreation Center is going on it?s 3rd strong year.

Hunger is a sensitive issue and must be handled with compassion and in a non-intrusive environment. With a culturally sensitive and education-focused approach, participants receive pounds of healthy food weekly, learn about and try new healthy food options, learn food preservation techniques, and build community. Also through this program, 4 residents are now employed and are educated in job skills which they will use in the future. In 2015, our program served 387 unduplicated participants, and distributed 38,684 pounds of healthy food. This does not include fresh donations from Rainbo Bread and Raquelita?s Tortillas. Many goals for the program have been achieved such as hiring 4 residents and other staff, adding food preservation and expanding on our mission of ?The Art of Healthy Living.?

Program details:
Open to the Public
Globeville Rec. Center: 4496 Grant St. Denver, CO 80216
Mondays at 3:00 pm 4:00 pm