Movie patrons who donate canned food will receive a small box of popcorn. The donated food will go to the Piñon Project, which is piloting the Backpack Program to fill backpacks of needy children with food.
"The program provides food for a family that lasts over the weekend," said Kelly Proctor, health advocate at the Piñon Project.
The program is being piloted in Dolores, which lacks a food pantry.
"Our goal is create healthier children and communities," she said.
Sixty percent of students in Dolores schools participate in the free or reduced lunch program because of low income.
"There is a direct correlation between hunger and obesity," Proctor said. "When people are struggling with food insecurity, when they do get food, it is not the most nutritious. It is usually calorie-dense, not nutritional."
"One of our goals is to make children's lives healthier," Proctor said.
"Right now we do not have enough food to sustain 20 families," she said.
Proctor said families participating in the backpack program are kept confidential.
How to donate
Needed: Instant oatmeal, granola bars, cereal, animal crackers, graham crackers, cereal bars, peanut butter, jelly, Nutella, tuna, crackers, Vienna sausages, canned fruit, canned vegetables, pasta, macaroni and cheese, Ramen noodles and soups.
Where: Take food to the Fiesta Twin Cinema, 23 W. Main St. in Cortez in exchange for a small box of popcorn. The drive lasts through Jan. 5.
Cold outside
Cold weather gripped most of the area over the weekend. It dipped down into the single digits and the high was in the 20s over the weekend. Brrr.
Skiing
The skiing was good in Telluride, just very cold. The cross country track at Lizard Head Pass look very inviting. I am told that the Chicken Creek cross country ski area needs a bit more snow and that the cross country skiing above Dolores at Boggy dray is good past the pond.
Do you have River Talk to report? Email news@cortezjournal.com
