"Food for All" campaign will officially kick-off at Colfax Avenue "Boo & Brew" event

Upon learning that two local non-profit service agencies cannot keep up with the demand for canned food and staples, Capitol Hill neighborhood organizations and businesses are pitching in to coordinate an emergency food drive titled "Food for All" to help replenish inventories at the food banks at Denver Urban Ministries (DenUM) and Metro CareRing.

This campaign will officially kick-off on Saturday, October 31 from 1-4pm at the third annual "Boo & Brew" event on East Colfax between Fillmore and Monroe, starting at Hooked on Colfax, 3213 E. Colfax.

The first 100 visitors will receive custom "Boo and Brew III on Colfax Avenue" candy collection sacks to then go to participating merchants who will provide special treats for the children trick-or-treaters. In return, parents are asked to bring non-perishable items for the food drive.

The "Food for All" campaign will then continue through the end of December, 2009. All donated items will be shared for distribution by Metro CareRing and Denver Urban Ministries.

Metro CareRing is "Meeting Basic Human Needs, Promoting Self-Sufficiency, Advocating for Social Change." In 2009, Metro CareRing experienced a 30 percent increase in the number of families and individuals requesting food packages. This increase happened as their food donations went down. They are now experiencing a CRITICAL IMMEDIATE NEED for food donations. "Metro CareRing is excited to participate in this event, especially during these challenging times," said Vicki Edmundson, Acting Executive Director.

The mission of Denver Urban Ministries is to "nourish the spirit of the community and cultivate awareness of urban life, providing resources for persons in crisis and create opportunities for individual and community growth and service."

DenUM meets people in crisis in Outreach Services, develops self-sufficiency through Job Services, strengthens the community through Advocacy, and fosters awareness and growth through Urban Education. DenUM is excited to receive support from Colfax businesses.

"Through working together, Capitol Hill can become a better place for everyone," notes Executive Director Tammy Mulligan.

Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods, Inc. (CHUN), Capitol Hill United Ministries (CHUM), Colfax on the Hill, South City Park Neighborhood Association, Propaganda Labs, MyColfax.org, Civic Canopy, and various Colfax Ave. merchants including Annie's Café and Hooked on Colfax, are proud to collaborate in this effort and together are issuing this "Call to Action" for neighbors to help support these two food banks. Other Capitol Hill businesses, churches and schools are invited to join in to participate as food collection sites and can contact Andrea Furness to sign up at 303-830-1651.

For information on "Food for All" please contact Andrea Furness (CHUN/303-830-1651) or Don Novak (Propaganda Labs/720-306-8236). For information or to contact Metro CareRing, please call Vicki Edmundson at 303-860-7200 ext. 3616.

For information or to contact Denver Urban Ministries, please call Tammy Mulligan or Amanda Baker at 303-355-4896. Please feel free to visit these organizations online at: www.metrocarering.org or www.denum.org.

Metro CareRing and DenUM are both members of CHUM: Capitol Hill United Ministries. More information can be found at CHUMdenver.com.