Totes of Hope · Weekend School Nutrition Program
Totes of Hope is Reach-Out Colorado’s flagship childhood nutrition initiative. During the school week, hundreds of children across Garfield School District Re-2 rely on free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch at school. Over the 65-hour weekend stretch from Friday afternoon to Monday morning, many of those same children face empty cupboards at home.
Every Tuesday evening at 6:00 PM during the academic year, ROC Center volunteers assemble individual weekend food totes that are delivered discreetly on Thursdays and Fridays to elementary schools, middle schools, and Head Start classrooms in Rifle, Silt, and New Castle.
Totes of Hope Storage Bays: Bulk shelf-stable entrees, oatmeal, fruit cups, and snacks staged for Tuesday 6:00 PM volunteer packing.
What Goes Inside Every Weekend Tote of Hope?
Each student bag is carefully balanced so children can prepare nourishing meals independently without requiring a stove:
| Nutrition Category | Standard Shelf-Stable Items Included | Dietary & Child-Friendly Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Proteins | Canned tuna or chicken pouches, ravioli with meat, bean-and-beef chili, peanut butter crackers | Sustained weekend energy and essential protein for growing elementary and middle school students |
| Carbohydrates & Breakfast | Instant oatmeal packets, individual cereal bowls, macaroni & cheese cups, ramen noodles | Quick warm breakfasts and lunches that children can prepare with tap water or a microwave |
| Vegetables & Soups | Green beans, sweet corn cups, vegetable beef soup, chicken noodle soup | Balanced micronutrients and comforting weekend family meals |
| Fruits & Healthy Snacks | 100% juice boxes, applesauce cups, diced peaches/pears, granola bars, raisins, trail mix | Vitamins and between-meal snacks for Friday evening through Sunday night |
Tuesday 6:00 PM Assembly
Civic teams, youth groups, and families pack 250+ bags in under an hour.
Garfield Re-2 Partnership
Coordinated directly with school counselors and family liaisons across the district.
Educator Endorsement
Supporting Monday classroom readiness, attendance, and student focus.