Summary
Organization name
Jeffco Eats
other names
Jeffco Eats
2014
Tax id (EIN)
46-5313137
Category
Food, Agriculture & Nutrition
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Address
1390 Brentwood StLakewood, CO 80214
Jefferson County, CO, US
There is a known gap in providing food to underserved, low income children and families. Targeting schools not served by other backpack programs or food banks, Jeffco Eats addresses the significant need for shelf-stable and fresh fruits and vegetables for at-risk youth during non-school hours.
Testimonials
Jeffco Eats provides many of our Title 1 schools with weekend totes of food, ensuring hundreds of children across Jefferson County have food to eat every weekend. Barbara works tirelessly every single day to meet the needs of our county's most impacted areas. She is always willing to take on a new school, even if it means longer hours for her. I am honored to know and work with Jeffco Eats, and I am so thankful for all that this organization does for our students.
Rebecca Dunn, Coordinator, Community and Family Connections - Jefferson Public Schools
Mission
The mission of Jeffco Eats is to reduce the number of children experiencing hunger in Jefferson County, Colorado and to increase their nutritional intake through healthy, quality foods.
Background Statement
Suburban hunger is an often hidden and unknown problem. Jeffco Eats was formed in 2014 to help alleviate this for the children and families in poverty that live in Jefferson County. We began by talking to other weekend food program directors to see how we could help.
During the past ten years, suburban poverty has risen a stunning 53% and in Jefferson County the fastest growing population is low-income and extremely low-income families. Jefferson County has the second largest Colorado school district with 85,000 students, yet 30,000 live in poverty and qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch. Jefferson County also now has the highest number of homeless students - more than 3,000 - of any school district in the state.
Working with Food Bank of the Rockies and Jefferson County Department of Education, Jeffco Eats provides free food totes for families not only to increase food security for at risk youth, but to provide a healthy, diverse menu of food options to ensure the best possible nutritional content so children grow up with a well-rounded and nourishing diet that provides food on the weekends and in the summer when getting food can be the hardest time for children and families that are struggling financially. Jeffco Eats operates as a mobile pantry to schools and Section 8 apartment communities. We serve ages from preschool Head Start, Elementary, Middle and High Schools. There are 4,566 students on free and reduced lunch program at schools served. We now help 600 students per week at 24 locations. With additional funding we can help many more students each week.
Media gallery
Organization Data
Lakewood, CO 80214