Operation Frontline
Operation Frontline Colorado
More than 12 million children are at risk of hunger in America; in Colorado, one in seven children are hungry or at risk for malnutrition.
Twenty-one percent of children in Denver are living in poverty and are at risk of hunger. Share Our Strength's Operation Frontline is a groundbreaking nutrition education program that helps families help themselves by teaching them how to prepare healthy low-cost meals.
Professional chefs and nutritionists volunteer their time and expertise to lead hands-on courses that instruct adults, teens and kids living on a low-income how to get the most nutrition out of a limited budget.
This year Operation Frontline Colorado coordinated 65 courses that impacted a total of 3,578 families. In 2008 our goal is to provide 72-80 courses in our nine county service area.
Operation Frontline Hall of Fame Volunteers!
We would like to recognize and congratulate our volunteer Chefs Andrew Nowak and Robert Margolis for being inducted into the National Operation Frontline Hall of Fame for completing their 15th class with OFL. They received their awards at Share Our Strength's Conference of Leaders in Washington D.C. in October. Chef Nowak also received the National Operation Frontline Volunteer Award for his hard work and dedication to OFL through his work on the Board of Advisors as well as in class. Thank you to both of you for your long-time dedication and hard work! You too could have your way paid to the next Conference of Leaders by completing 15 classes. Good luck!
Food Drive
Would your club, church, office, scout troop, school, university, neighborhood, friends like to do a food and/or supply drive for our nutrition education families? We plan to teach 70 - 75 courses this year reaching 750 families and that means we need lots of food, supplies and grocery cards. This is an opportunity to get your whole family involved! And share your passion and experience with helping OFLC end childhood food insecurity and hunger.
We would like to recognize those who have participated and donated goods to our program this year: Matt Carek and his team at Webroot Software.
Here's what we need most for our 2008 program year-
Food:
- 350 - 24 or 32 oz. bottles of canola oil
- 300 - 1 lb. packages WHOLE GRAIN pasta
- 300 - 1 lb. bags WHOLE GRAIN brown rice
- 200 - 1 lb. packages pearl barley
- 100 - 64 oz. bottles of 100% fruit juice, any flavor
- 150 - 10 oz. bottles of Low Sodium soy sauce
- 20 boxes low-fat granola (without raisins, please !)
- 40 - 12 oz. bottles honey
Supplies:
- 1000 - Large paper plates
- 1000 - 8 oz. Disposable cups
- Gallon zip lock bags
- Quart zip lock bags
- Sandwich-size zip lock bags
- Aluminum foil
- Plastic wrap
Grocery gift cards:
- 350 - $10.00 gift cards to King Soopers or Safeway
Please call the Operation Frontline office, 303.892.8480, for tips on how to conduct the food drive and we will send you a toolkit.
Eating Tips for a Healthy Holiday Season
By Kimberly Kinsey, Dietetic Intern University of Northern Colorado
A Kids Up Front participant enjoying a healthy fruit creation.
Before the Party...
Eat a light snack and don't go hungry. Reduce the fat in holiday recipes; magazines are full of recipes. Focus on weight maintenance vs. weight loss during the holidays; don't set yourself up for failure. Plan on NOT dieting after the New Year. Anticipation of food restriction sets you up for binge-type eating over the holidays.
During the Party...
Enjoy good friends and family; food doesn't have to be the focus. Be assertive: if you are not hungry, then simply say so. Leave what you don't want; when you feel full, stop eating. Simple. Drink plenty of water. Choose your beverages wisely; liquors, wines and mixed drinks contain 150-450 calories per glass. Watch your portion size and go for small portions so you can sample many different foods. Veggies are your friend. Fill your plate with some "good" foods first. Don't hang out near the food-socialize a distance away to prevent unconscious nibbling. Cut cakes, desserts and savory tarts and quiches into portions before placing on a buffet table.
After the Party...
Maintain perspective. Overeating one day won't make or break your eating plan. Be physically active every day. Exercise helps relieve stress, regulate appetite, and burn up extra calories from holiday eating.
Member of Colorado Anti-Hunger Network
Operation Frontline Colorado is located at 2727 Bryant Street, Suite 300, Denver, CO 80211, Phone:(303)892-8480
