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   The Denver Foundation has awarded a $10,000 grant to the Parker Task Force Food Bank (PTF) for its efforts in 2007 to help those in need throughout the community.

   “It is a special honor to be recognized by The Denver Foundation because of the help we will be able to give our clients and because it validates us as a volunteer organization,” said food bank co-chair Clark Hastings. “It acknowledges the hard work of our highly professional, highly talented, all-volunteer team.”

   The $10,000 will be used throughout the year to help pay utility bills and to buy fresh food for the food bank’s growing number of client families, Hastings said. The food bank will utilize the expertise of a volunteer nutritionist as it works to expand its fresh food selections, he added.

   The grant was awarded in February by The Denver Foundation, a community foundation dedicated to improving life in Metro Denver through philanthropy, leadership and strengthening the community. Two of its program officers visited the food bank prior to making a decision on awarding the grant.

   For the past 20 years, the Parker Food Bank has provided short-term support to those in need throughout the Parker, Elizabeth and Franktown communities. It is operated solely by dedicated volunteers, keeping costs to a minimum. In addition, the food bank does not have to pay rent or utilities because it is located in a building owned by the Town of Parker, which donated the space.

   Hastings said he believed it was that kind of support from the town, as well as the contributions made by local residents, schools, business and churches, that helped sway the foundation’s decision-makers.

   In awarding the grant, The Denver Foundation made note of the food bank’s broad-based community support, its all-volunteer staff and its creative use of resources.

   “PTF leverages resources in numerous creative ways in order to serve families in crisis. These services are delivered in a caring and respectful manner,” the Foundation wrote.

   “PTF embodies the spirit of volunteerism,” the Foundation continued. “We applaud the leadership of PTF for role modeling effective and committed volunteerism.”   

   The grant comes at a time when need is on the rise for the food bank. The number of families who sought help from the food bank in January rose more than 50 percent - from 99 families in January of 2006 to 156 families in 2007. The food bank has 361 active client families, which make up 1,215 individuals.