The $1,000 grant awarded to the Have a Heart Project by YourHub.com's Community Giving promotion will come into immediate use during this holiday season.

The nonprofit organization that focuses on providing food for homeless and low-income students in Adams County District 50 is busy putting together packages of food for the holidays, said Debbie Smith, founder and president of Have a Heart.

"We're doing Thanksgiving and Christmas food boxes, and it (the grant) allows us to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables for the boxes," Smith said. She said Have a Heart is the only organization of its kind in Colorado and plans on supplying food to about 350 families and 2,500 people.

Smith said she knew that Shari Nelson was posting her nomination at YourHub.com and is thankful that Nelson used some of her spare time to write it.

"Well, considering she's like me and works full time, it's very nice for her to do. She's a good writer," Smith said.

Nelson, of Westminster, said she feels good about helping the organization receive additional funding because she knows it's going to a good cause.

"I'm really excited about this," she said. "When you see people coming through to get food, you can tell they really need it. They're not looking for a handout. They really need it. So it feels really good to be able to help."

Nelson's husband, David, also volunteers often and recently was appointed to the Have a Heart Project's board of directors.

"Have a Heart really makes a difference," she said.