The Piñon Project and Fiesta Twin Cinema have teamed up in a food drive that benefits children and popcorn lovers.
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,” Proctor said.
Proctor said families participating in the backpack program are kept confidential.