Food For Thought Denver is on a mission to end weekend childhood hunger in the Denver area. Every Friday, our dedicated force of volunteers provide PowerSacks filled with meals so that our kids — and their families — have food to eat over the weekend.

Here in Denver, the need is greater than many realize. 1 in 7 children across Colorado face hunger, and in some Denver Public Schools, more than 90% of students qualify for free or reduced meals. For far too many children, the lunch they receive at school on Friday is the last full meal they’ll have until Monday morning.

Teachers and administrators tell us what that means in real life: hungry children return to school on Mondays tired, distracted, and unable to focus on learning. Hunger doesn’t just hurt today; it shapes tomorrow.

The hard truths about childhood food insecurity:

• Children who experience food insecurity are more likely to struggle academically
• They are more likely to face mental and physical health challenges
• Kids are more likely to remain trapped in the cycle of poverty as adults

Hunger is a cycle that can be broken.

But we need your help.

To better understand the scope of childhood hunger across our community, explore our Interactive Hunger Heat Map. You’ll see where your support can make the greatest difference.

Become a part of the For Thought family. Adopt a school and feed a future.