Neighborhood Cannery Transforming Lives
Every Wednesday, FoodWorks, a nonprofit located in North Park Hill at 39th Avenue and Holly Street, produces the equivalent of 3,000 canned chili bean meals. But this cannery is doing much more than just putting beans in a can. FoodWorks is transforming lives through food and training.
“The food we produce goes into the local food bank network to feed hunger in our community,” said Dr. Jackson Pope, president and CEO of the nonprofit. “We use our plant to teach individuals in transition how to rise up to a given level of self-sufficiency.”
Serving the community since 1981, FoodWorks strives to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. Its mission is to nourish mind, body and soul through vocational training, life skills development and food provision.
Upon completion of the canning run each week, six cans of beans and one family-sized bag are placed into FoodWorks Combo Packs. FoodWorks also produces a hearty vegetable and ham soup in partnership with Ready Foods, a national food manufacturer based in Park Hill.
“Historically, what has been missing from the food bank network is a high-protein, low-fat product,” said Pope. “Our products meet that need.”
The finished cases are shipped to Food Bank of the Rockies, the largest food bank in the region. From there, the meals are distributed into the local food bank network. The soup is provided directly to the Denver Rescue Mission.
FoodWorks also provides a paid hands-on job training and life skills development program designed to help individuals acquire marketable skills transferable to full-time employment. The program serves as a launch pad to propel individuals living in transition and using the social services system into a life of self-sufficiency.
“When I first got into the program, I wasn’t too sure what the next day held for me due to my past,” said 35-year-old client Anthony Chavez. “But, because of the things I’ve learned while I’ve been here, I know I can get a good job and be a good worker. I’m looking forward to getting my own place and spending time with my son.”
Chavez spent a good majority of his life taking drugs and drinking and didn’t care much about anyone but himself. He was never able to save any money, immediately spending whatever he had on his vices. He ultimately lost his apartment, his marriage and any relationship with his son. He eventually found a place to live at Providence House, which got him plugged into the FoodWorks program.
Clients come from transitional housing providers – such as Providence Network, Open Door Ministries, Champa House and the Denver Rescue Mission – and commit to a 12-week rotation in all aspects of the FoodWorks production and packaging facility.
The training teaches clients to be employees by providing transferrable job skills like process manufacturing, inventory management, record-keeping, following processes and procedures, order fulfillment, customer service and more. Clients are also trained in workplace safety and forklift operations and have the option to participate in a spiritual development course.
In the On Track life-skills curriculum, clients participate in a series of classes on life skills, financial literacy, goal setting, personal development, how to transition to independent living, computer skills, how to find full-time employment and others.
The On Track courses have been especially helpful to Chavez. In the financial literacy class he learned how to create a budget and work toward his goals. He was able to set aside extra money and buy a car with his savings, which brought a sense of freedom to someone usually limited by public transportation.
“After I bought my car, I went to see my brother in Colorado Springs,” he said. “The whole time I was driving down there I couldn’t believe that I was able to buy this car and go wherever I wanted.”
With lots of opportunities in front of him, Chavez hopes to work in a warehouse setting when he graduates and is actively looking for full-time work.
“I’m so thankful for FoodWorks helping me get to a better place,” he said, as he drove off to a job interview.
For more information about the FoodWorks programs and services, or to help support the organization, visit www.FoodWorksColorado.org.