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September is recognized across the country as Hunger Action Month, a time to raise awareness about food insecurity and inspire action to help end hunger.

At LIFE Food Pantry, that mission is close to home. Already this year, thousands of our Loveland neighbors have turned to LIFE for nourishing food and support. Hunger is real in our community, but together, we can make a difference.

Here are six ways you can take action this month:

• Volunteer your time. From shopping with clients to stocking shelves, there’s a place for everyone at LIFE. 
• Make a financial gift. Every dollar goes directly toward providing healthy food for local families in need. 
• Be an advocate. Share the importance of fighting hunger and encourage friends, coworkers, and neighbors to get involved.
• Buy a Simply Give gift card at Meijer. Every dollar goes directly toward providing healthy food for local families in need. 
• Sign up for Kroger Community Rewards. A simple way to support LIFE every time you shop; at no cost to you.
• Engage with us online. Like, share, and comment on our Facebook and Instagram posts to help us reach more people in the community.

This September, let’s come together and take action against hunger because no one in Loveland should have to go without food.

Enjoy warm soup, fresh bread, and delicious desserts from local restaurants — plus the chance to win fabulous gift baskets from area businesses. For just $25, you’ll enjoy a delicious meal and take home a handcrafted pottery bowl generously donated by local artists. Every dollar raised benefits LIFE Food Pantry, helping neighbors in need with food and financial assistance.

The first seating is already sold out! Buy now to save your spot at the second seating.

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

Add a little fall fun to your home with one of our beautiful, reusable centerpieces! These faux-pumpkin centerpieces will be available for purchase at the event for just $25! Best of all, you can take yours home at the conclusion of either seating. There’s no need to return later for pickup as in previous years.

Important: A quick reminder, cash and checks are preferred for additional raffle tickets, to-go soup, centerpieces, and pottery purchases. Credit cards will also be accepted, but card readers will be limited and may result in longer processing times.

The back-to-school season is an exciting time for students, but for families already working hard to cover the costs of food, rent and other essentials, the expense of getting ready for a new school year can be overwhelming.

That’s why our Student Life Shop is so important. Over the past few months, an incredible community effort has come together to prepare to support nearly 250 students living in Loveland.

Our back-to-school event is designed to give children an opportunity to make their own selections. Students get to choose a brand-new backpack that matched their personality and style. They also received school supplies selected specifically for their grade and school, along with additional essentials they can use throughout the school year.

Giving students the opportunity to choose their own backpack and supplies makes the experience about more than just meeting a need. It gives them a sense of choice, independence, and excitement as they prepare to walk into the new school year ready to learn.

An event like this takes months of preparation and we are especially grateful to Sharon, Betsey, Elizabeth, and Carolina, our event coordinators, who worked to make it all come together. They spent time securing donations, organizing supplies, packing backpacks, and making sure everything was ready for the children and families who attended.

We also want to thank the many volunteers and donors who helped make the event possible. From donating school supplies and personal care items to setting up stations, assisting families, and keeping everything moving on event day, so many people came together to help local students start the school year feeling prepared and confident.

One of the most popular parts of our Empty Bowls fundraiser last year was our mystery gift card raffle and we need your help to make it a success!

We’re looking for gift card donations of $25 or more to area restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, and other local businesses. Have a gift card you received but won’t use? We’d be happy to put it to good use! You can also purchase a new gift card from a local business to donate.

Gift cards can be dropped off at the LIFE Food Pantry in an envelope labeled “Empty Bowls – Sue Kentrup.”

Thank you for helping us create a fun raffle for our guests while supporting LIFE Food Pantry and the families we serve!

The Simply Give by Meijer program makes it easy to help families right here in our community. During the campaign, simply purchase a $10 Simply Give donation card at checkout, and that $10 is converted into a Meijer food-only gift card and donated directly to LIFE Food Pantry.

Simply Give is especially meaningful because LIFE is able to choose the food and essential items our families need most. Some items seem to fly off the shelves at LIFE and with Simply Give, we are able to purchase items such as milk, butter, toilet paper, diapers, and laundry detergent.

The Simply Give Fall Campaign runs through September 26, with Double Match Days on Saturday, August 15, and Saturday, September 12. On these special days, Meijer will match your $10 Simply Give donation with an additional $20.

That means your $10 donation becomes $30 for LIFE Food Pantry!

Next time you’re shopping at Meijer, consider grabbing a Simply Give card at checkout. It’s an easy way to turn your everyday grocery trip into an opportunity to help local families.