DENVER -- There is absolutely no way to single out every group doing amazing work in our community amid the COVID-19 pandemic — but, we're going to try anyway.
#Denverfeeditforward
One of those legitimate fundraising efforts is a GoFundMe called Feed Denver's frontline workers.
Co-founders of the #Denverfeeditforward GoFundMe Lisa Stites and Susanna Kantor both have backgrounds in health care. They’re also both moms and they wanted to start a movement to help provide meals to health care workers, first responders and even grocery store workers.
“I just think it’s incredibly important to support them now more than ever,” Stites said.
And it’s not just the grown-ups who are stepping up to fill the need.
Students help students
Another blossoming GoFundMe campaign is one started by two young sisters in Centennial. It’s called Rawk Dance Supports the DPS Food Security Fund and 100% of the proceeds help to feed school children who are currently out of school because of the pandemic.
Sisters Sofia Weidknecht, 15, and Kate, 11, founded the GoFundMe because they knew there was a way to stay connected while giving back at the same time.
“I think we take for granted seeing our friends every day,” Kate said. “And now that we can't have it, it's super weird to think about."
"We were really worried about the people who have to get food from school and go to school to get their food," Sofia said.
The girls got Rawk Dance on board, and they’ve now raised thousands of dollars.
Hot meals
Another movement happening right now is Impact Locally’s hot food lunches. Impact, through the Humanity Store in Denver’s Five Points neighborhood, decided to launch a hot lunch program this week to help feed the homeless and those in need during the coronavirus outbreak.
The program launched on Tuesday and will continue through this Saturday and then every Tuesday through Saturday for the foreseeable future.
"And we were in a fortunate position to be in the community in the way that we are able to connect with other organizations and get the food donations that we need in order to provide this service," said Impact’s Audrey Bailey.
“These are kind of weird times to be alive,” said volunteer Charlie Thuente with The Abbey Collection real estate company. “So, if we're really going to get through this we’re going to need to help each other.”
The meals are being served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday at 2526 Welton Street in Denver.
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