Giving back: Families feast on fruits of Staff Council's food drive

Staff Council members prepared 50 boxes of goods.

The concept of giving back is second nature to the University of Colorado Denver Staff Council. Members have conducted a food drive for needy families for more years than most can remember. Last month, the staff council Adopt-a-School program donated 50 boxes of full, traditional holiday meals to the families at Colfax Elementary. Several boxes of food also were donated to the school's food bank.

"Colfax Elementary was very grateful for the food and is always very excited to participate in this program every year," said Charita Thompson, administrative assistant in the Scholarship Resource Office. "The fifth-graders are always so willing to help transport the boxes."

About 15 departments hosted a box and collected food in their area both on the Anschutz and Denver campuses.

"However when the announcement went out in 'On the Net,' there were multiple donations from various departments and individuals that were not originally designated," said Thompson, who organized the 2010 food drive.

She notes that many people would like to give back, especially around the holidays, but can't find or don't have time to find avenues to give back.

"Adopt-a-School is a great way to give back and know that your donations are going to a great cause; knowing that your donation has truly helped a family have a happy holiday," Thompson said. "Programs such as the Adopt-a-School bring a sense of community to the departments that participate. All employees are working together for a great cause."