Ending Childhood Hunger by 2015

Ending Childhood Hunger in Colorado by 2015


Governor Ritter signing Executive Order

The Denver Foundation has worked to address the issue of hunger for years.  Late in 2008, amid the economic downturn, the Foundation activated its Critical Needs Fund to give more than $700,000 to the state’s front-line food programs, helping thousands of Coloradans in need.

At the same time, the Foundation’s Board examined the underlying issues that caused Colorado to be at the bottom of many national indices measuring how we make sure our citizens have enough food.  In the last issue of Catalyst, we announced a significant grant to help launch the Colorado Coalition to End Hunger (CCEH), a merger of the Colorado Anti-Hunger Network and the Colorado Food Bank Association, to create a unified voice against hunger in Colorado.

Today, we are excited to share the news of a major statewide campaign to end childhood hunger by 2015.  Lead by a partnership among Governor Ritter’s administration, CCEH, and the national anti-hunger organization Share Our Strength, the Campaign to End Childhood Hunger in Colorado seeks to help the more than 200,000 Colorado children who are affected by hunger.  Its initial focus is on maximizing use of the federal resources already available for school breakfast and summer food programs.

“Hunger is an ‘everything’ issue,” says Kathy Underhill, Executive Director of CCEH.  “Hungry kids can’t learn, they’re more likely to experience health problems, they’re less likely to excel in school and in life.  If we can make sure that every child in Colorado has access to nutritious food every day, we put a strong foundation in place for addressing the other challenges they may be facing.”

Governor Ritter launched the Campaign to End Childhood Hunger in Colorado by 2015 through an Executive Order.  Click below for the Executive Order.

Executive Order to End Childhood Hunger 

“The actions of The Denver Foundation’s Board and donors have certainly been a catalyst for the campaign,” says David Miller, President of the Foundation.  “While there is much work ahead, we’re excited about this important first step that will help so many of Colorado’s children.”