As an organization dedicated to promoting healthy food habits among kids and families, Denver Inner City Parish is thrilled to support the message behind House Bill 2024-1301. This initiative recognizes the critical need to prioritize the well-being of Colorado’s youth through healthier mealtime menus and providing adequate playtime in schools.

This bill calls to pull together a task force to explore best practices for time allocation during meals and supporting recess for younger students, acknowledging the multifaceted nature of student health and wellness. We believe that by fostering dialogue among educators, health experts, and community stakeholders, we can collectively work towards creating healthier school environments that nurture the holistic development of our children.

At the heart of this legislative initiative lies the Healthy School Meals for All program, which holds tremendous potential to positively impact the lives of students across Colorado. This program isn’t just about providing food; it’s about empowering families and communities. By facilitating access to free meals at participating schools, we’re removing barriers to nutrition and ensuring that every child has the fuel they need to succeed. Additionally, families may access a range of resources, such as discounted school fees, class materials, bus passes, and utility assistance, further enhancing their well-being and stability.

Our role extends beyond mere advocacy; we’re on the front lines, working hand in hand with families to navigate the enrollment process for the Healthy School Meals for All program. We’re providing guidance, resources, and support every step of the way, ensuring that no child falls through the cracks.

In conjunction with our commitment to promoting healthy eating habits and advocating for initiatives like House Bill 2024-1301, we’re excited to invite our participants and community members to join us for a special listening session hosted by Denver Inner City Parish and Hunger Free Colorado on March 28th. At 12pm at 1000 S Lowell Blvd. This interactive event offers a unique opportunity for individuals to share their insights, experiences, and aspirations regarding nutrition and wellness in our communities at schools. As advocates for positive change, we recognize the importance of listening to diverse perspectives and fostering dialogue that drives meaningful action.

Plus, attendees can look forward to enjoying a delicious lunch, refreshing drinks, and the chance to win exciting prizes throughout the session. It’s not just an opportunity to be heard; it’s a chance to connect, engage, and make a difference together. Mark your calendars and join us for a mealtime of conversation, camaraderie, and collective empowerment. We can’t wait to see you there!

The Eagle Bear room at 1000 S Lowell Blvd, Denver, 80219, 12pm Noon.

Let’s continue to work together towards a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive, nourished by the power of healthy food and supportive communities.

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Thanks to HFDK and DDPHE, DICP will be able to provide the Denver community with fresh healthy food to families who need it most, nutritious meals to kids, health education to parents and children, and supporting services to all. This grant impacts many important programs at DICP, which you can read more about below.

Care Navigation

This grant from HFDK allows us to revamp our Care Navigation program! Because of this generosity, we are equipped to reach out into the community and enroll families and individuals in SNAP, which can provide $100 a week to people facing food insecurity. Care Navigation also provides several other emergency services such as utility assistance, material resource provisions and more.

Food Pantry

The Mobile Food Pantry visits several sites throughout Denver on a bi-monthly basis using a client-choice model. When participants enter our mobile pantry vehicles , they’re able to choose culturally relevant, fresh and healthy foods that work best for them. This allows participants to pick out the foods that they are familiar with and that suit their dietary needs.

Veggie RX

DICP’s Veggie Rx program provides education about healthy foods for everyone in the family. Veggie Rx was originally designed for individuals diagnosed with health problems connected to obesity, but now serves youth and families as well.

Greens-N-Grains

The Greens-N-Grains food truck is part of the mobile program. The truck distributes healthy meals to youth in Denver’s food deserts and neighborhoods where food insecurity is high. The food truck partners with schools and out-of-school programs during the school year to distribute 600 meals per week.

Thank you HFDK! We look forward to utilizing these funds throughout the year to positively impact the Denver community.

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A year after deciding to go mobile, Denver Inner City Parish will finalize its dream of operating a mobile food pantry. They will celebrate the occasion on December 2nd by hosting a ribbon cutting for the long-awaited wrap of the pantry vehicle. The wrap design was done by local artist Hector Del Rio, who also designed the wrap of DICP’s Greens-N-Grains Food Truck. Founded in 1960, DICP operates one of the longest running food pantries in the United States. During the pandemic, the pantry had to pivot operations, and go from a client-choice model where participants could enter the indoor pantry, to a drive-thru model where every participant received identical boxes, despite having a variety of unique needs. The mobile pantry now allows participants to enter an atmosphere more akin to a farmer’s market, selecting what they’d like amongst nutritious and culturally relevant options. With rising transportation costs hurting our most food insecure neighbors, the pantry currently travels to six sites in addition to the DICP building. As the weather gets colder the mobile pantry will set up portable heaters and tents for cover at the sites. DICP is honored to have the support of this program from councilwoman Jamie Torres, who has advocated for funding for hunger relief at DICP and across Denver, and further lends her support with her presence at the ribbon cutting.

What: Mobile Food Pantry Ribbon Cutting

When: Friday, December 2, 2022 at 2:30pm

Where: DICP at 1212 Mariposa Street

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& Family and Community Liaison at Charles M. Schenck Community Elementary School, about their partnership with DICP’s health and nutrition programs.

Here’s what she had to say:

On DICP’s youth VeggieRX classes:

The program has made a tremendous difference for our kids and families. It’s a wonderful learning opportunity for our kids. They love to go to the class. They love to learn new recipes, healthy recipes, recipes that they can make on their own, and how to eat all the colors of the rainbow. They’re learning how to eat from the earth. It matches well with our school’s focus on health. We’re also getting a school garden this year, and classes are a great compliment.

On DICP’s parent VeggieRX classes:

We really appreciate the adult class. It brings together community parents and creates fellowship. We love the program because it focuses on health and nutrition, being together as a family, and experiencing nature. The adult classes are helpful in building out our resource center offerings.

On DICP’s Greens-N-Grains Food Truck:

The truck comes on Wednesdays, and the kids love it. One 5th grader looks forward to it every week and asks if the truck is here. The food is healthy and interesting. I’ve seen the kids trying and liking cauliflower which is awesome. The parents love it too. They see their kids trying new foods which give them ideas for meals at home. It’s a real community gift.

DICP is appreciative of our partnership with CMS! We love facilitating classes with kids and adults and are just as excited as the kids to bring the food truck. Reach out to us if you are interested in bringing VeggieRx or Greens-N-Grains to your community!

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