$2,500 donation
will support the Food Bank Network of the San Luis Valley
LAKEWOOD, Colo., April 24,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Serving Coloradoans since 1955,
Natural Grocers®, the leading family-operated organic and natural
grocery retailer in the U.S., recently donated funds to another
longtime Colorado organization
dedicated to community and service, La Puente.
La Puente Home, Inc. is a
501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Colorado's San Luis
Valley (SLV), providing a safety net of services where individuals
and families get what they need to stabilize, heal, and ultimately
thrive. Their programs vary in response to the effects of poverty
that the members of their community face daily.
NATURAL GROCERS & FOOD INSECURITY
Fighting
Food Insecurity is a cause Natural Grocers has supported since
before the company opened its first storefront.
"My grandmother, Natural Grocers Co-Founder, Margaret Isely, had a generous heart, a deep
respect for her community, and knew how life-changing good
nutrition could be. She and my grandfather got their start by
visiting friends and neighbors to share nutrition education and her
delicious homemade whole grain bread," said Raquel Isely, Vice President of Marketing at
Natural Grocers. "When she and my grandfather opened their first
store, she always made sure there was 'extra' wholesome food
around, easily accessible to anyone who needed it. Today we have
evolved to forge connections with the local food banks in the
cities and towns near our stores with our "Bring Your Own Bag"
program. Whenever a customer brings their own bag, we donate 5¢ to
our partner at the register.
The area La Puente serves happens to extend beyond our
current store footprint. When La Puente reached out to see if
we might be willing to donate to their network of food
pantries in the SLV, we immediately said 'yes'. So many
communities are struggling with food insecurity. We know our
donation is only a drop in the bucket, but it is our hope we can
help raise awareness of La Puente and all the good they do for
their community."
LA PUENTE
Beginning in 1982, La
Puente was one of the first rural shelters to open its doors
to those in need within the state of Colorado. The SLV, its home, is a
frontier region with arctic winters; also prevalent, the SLV
has national-high rates of poverty with limited resources to
address the impact poverty has on youth, families, job
opportunities and health equity.
In addition, the SLV is an immense region; it covers over
8,000 square miles, or roughly the size of the state of
Massachusetts. The
vastness is compounded by the lack of public transportation; this
in turn requires its residents to embark on a long journey to
obtain resources such as medical care and groceries. Most jobs
available are lower-paying agricultural or service-sector jobs;
this also contributes to the burdens endured by residents.
LA PUENTE SERVICES
In addition to its Community
Shelter, a 68-bed living space (open to men, women, and families)
open, operated and staffed 24/7/365, La Puente now
offers a broad suite of services designed to stabilize households
in crisis and promote self-sufficiency through financial resources
and case management. A strength-based lens and dignity model are
utilized to engage each person as a valued individual and expert of
their lives and experiences.
Additional programming included under La Puente's umbrella is
their PALS Children's Program, Adelante Family Resource Center,
Street Outreach, Crisis Prevention, the Valley Garden Educational
Initiative (VEGI) and The Food Bank Network of the San Luis Valley
(FBNSLV).
DONATE
La Puente has entered its
fourth decade of operating and continues to provide services to
those experiencing homelessness and community members in crisis.
This has been possible because of the generosity of individuals and
organizations that understand and support the mission of La
Puente and its programs.
- If you are interested in donating to La Puente, please use
this link: https://lapuentehome.org/donate/.
- To contact La Puente please email
administration@lapuente.net.
- For press inquiries, please
contact katie@naturalgrocers.com.
*Any person donating can specify which program or if nothing
is entered, it will go towards General Operations Support.
ABOUT NATURAL GROCERS BY VITAMIN COTTAGE
Founded in 1955, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc.
(NYSE: NGVC) is an expanding specialty retailer of natural and
organic groceries, body care products, and dietary supplements. The
products sold by Natural Grocers must meet strict quality
guidelines and may not contain artificial colors, flavors,
preservatives or sweeteners, or partially hydrogenated or
hydrogenated oils. The Company sells only USDA-certified organic
produce and exclusively pasture-raised, non-confinement dairy
products, and free-range eggs. Natural Grocers' flexible
smaller-store format allows it to offer affordable prices in a
shopper-friendly, clean, and convenient retail environment. The
Company also provides extensive free science-based Nutrition
Education programs to help customers make informed health and
nutrition choices. Headquartered in the Union Square neighborhood
of Lakewood, CO, Natural Grocers has 168 stores in 21 states.
Visit www.naturalgrocers.com for more information
and store locations.
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