To coincide with Veterans Day, on Friday, Nov. 11, from 1-4 p.m., University of Northern Colorado Athletics and Veterans Services are partnering with the national nonprofit Feed the Children to hand out 800 care packages to veteran families. Each family unit is set at four people, so these donations have the chance to impact the lives of 3,200 people. 

“If we have military families in need who could appreciate a lift up around this time of year with extra food and support, then we would be more than happy to do our part,” said Tim Nellett, the director of UNC’s Veterans Services.  

This event will be an addition to UNC’s Military Appreciation Weekend, which consists of recognizing military at the men’s basketball game on Nov. 11, at 6 p.m., and the football game on Nov. 12 at noon followed by the volleyball match at 6 p.m. The community can also participate in the Freedom 5K on Nov. 12, which raises money for UNC's Veteran’s Scholarship Fund.  

“We’ve been wanting to do more surrounding all of our Veteran’s Day events since they usually bring a lot of energy and involvement in the community at one time,” said Nellett. 

During the Feed the Children event, military families in Northern Colorado and beyond can drive into the Y Parking lot near Nottingham Field, roll down their window and receive a variety of nonperishable food items and dried goods, as well as toys, books and games for those who have children. 

“There are around 16,000 veterans who live in Weld County, which is more than people think and we have 500 veteran and military affiliated students here on campus, so this gives us a great opportunity to say thank you to all of those people and let them know we have resources available for them if they need,” Nellett said.  

Nellett hopes this event will become an annual tradition since it’s a great community event for people to get involved in. Volunteers handing out the care packages include UNC student-athletes, coaches and staff, campus veterans and members of the sponsor companies including PDC Energy, Liberty Energy, Chevron and Civitas Resources. 

Any leftover care packages will be donated to other organizations including UNC’s Bear Pantry, an initiative on campus to assist students in our community who are faced with food insecurity.

– written by Sydney Kern