Local churches and faith-based communities have been invited to actively participate in the Wheat Ridge “Feed The Future” Backpack Program, starting with a July 25 meeting to discuss the challenges of feeding undernourished school-aged children in our community. The City of Wheat Ridge Police Department and the program’s Citizen Committee set up the meeting with the vision of inspiring community stakeholders to assist in sustaining the program and provide an opportunity for faith communities to serve locally.

“The Wheat Ridge ‘Feed the Future’ Backpack Program began in 2009, as a means to ensure that Wheat Ridge‘s most needy children had their basic nutritional needs met in a simple and cost-effective way,” said Wheat Ridge Chief of Police Dan Brennan in a letter to local faith leaders. “Educating a child is one of the most important responsibilities of government, and studies have shown that children who come to school hungry are not able to focus on learning.

“The Wheat Ridge ‘Feed the Future’ Backpack Program is committed to assisting all school-aged children in our community to be free from hunger, to be healthy, and to support wellness.  Experience with other similar programs nationwide has shown that, in addition to hungry children receiving healthy food, such programs have led to improved grades and attendance for these children, as well as increased involvement in their schooling by their parents. Today, this community program is providing meals to over 300 elementary-aged students at Pennington, Stevens and Kullerstrand elementary schools.”

Regardless of religious beliefs, people can support the program by purchasing bracelets ($3 each, two for $5) at the city’s National Night Out celebration (Tues., Aug. 7, 5-8 p.m., at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center) and the Carnation Festival (starting Fri., Aug. 17).

For more information the “Feed The Future” Backpack Program, email Loretta DiTirro at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .