Supporting Students Through Totes for Hope

At Eagle Valley Community Foundation, we believe access to nutritious food is a basic human right – not a privilege – especially for children. That’s why we proudly partner with the Eagle County School District (ECSD) and Food Bank of the Rockies (FBOR) to combat childhood hunger in our community.

Through the FBOR Totes for Hope program, we work together to ensure students have access to nutritious, easy-to-prepare meals when food may not be consistently available outside of school hours. These totes, each weighing between 7 and 9 pounds, are discreetly distributed at participating schools. On Fridays, teachers subtly place the totes into students’ backpacks, helping ensure children and their families have the food they need over the weekend – without any stigma.

The Community Market plays a critical role in coordinating this effort, collaborating closely with school staff to identify families in need and manage the distribution process. In addition to Totes for Hope, we also partner with ECSD to help eliminate school lunch debt for families facing financial hardship.

Together, these partnerships help ensure that every child in our community has the nourishment they need to thrive, grow, and focus on learning – regardless of their circumstances at home.

Impact Snapshot

Participating Schools: Red Hill Elementary School, Gypsum Elementary School, Edwards Early Childhood Center, (Upvalley and Downvalley), Edwards Elementary School, Homestake Peak Schools- Elementary and Middle Schools.

Impact: 140 students are receiving bags weekly.