By University Communications
DENVER – A group from the CU College of Nursing (CON) expanded their traditional health care role of caring for others by volunteering this week at the Food Bank of the Rockies (FBR). The CON team donned aprons and gloves to sort, clean and organize donated food items for distribution throughout our local communities.
“It was a great experience, and we had fun; both with each other and with the other staff and volunteers at the Food Bank,” said Jennifer Disabato, DNP, CPNP-PC, AC, senior instructor and program director for CE. “I think we would definitely do it again.”
FBR provides food for more than 350,000 people annually by distributing 84,000 meals each day through more than 1,000 hunger relief partner agencies and direct service programs. FBR is one of the largest hunger relief organizations in the Rocky Mountain Region with 96 cents of every dollar donated going directly to food distribution programs.
“I learned a great deal about how the Food Bank operates,“ said Amy Barton, RN, PhD, professor and associate dean. “It was a great opportunity to learn about the organization and how they assist in providing food to those who are unable to afford to meet basic needs for themselves and their families. On a personal note, it also provided me with a better understanding of appropriate donations to contribute to food drives in the future.”
This volunteer effort was coordinated by the CON team through our CU in the Community program (formerly Giving Back).
Here's how it works: Faculty and staff at both the Anschutz Medical Campus and CU Denver can sign up to volunteer as an individual or in teams. You can use up to four hours of work time to participate in a volunteer activity that you already are a part of, or you may participate in a group activity with others from your area or across the university. This year the program has been expanded to include students and alumni.
CU in the Community kicked off last month and runs through the end of February. Remember to sign up to participate. The 2012 featured partner is Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver.
(Photo: standing left to right Allison Moravec-Rice, Fara Bowler, Kathy Foss, Jennifer Disabato, Jennifer Smith, Amy Barton; front row: Elaina Schaefer and Stephanie Aguinaldo)
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Contact: CU in the Community program
