Information submitted by Brian Harris, Kentwood City Properties, Broker Associate

The Organization: The Carpenter’s Cupboard is a nonprofit charity to feed, clothe and help those in need. In our first two full months of operation, we have fed about 8,000 people, about 2/3 of which are children.  That puts on track to serve almost 50,000 people for the year.  We operate from five storefronts in a 1950s vintage strip mall in a neighborhood which is not quite “transitional” yet.

The need: Volunteers for a couple hours per week. The cupboard is open M W F. The volunteers work one or two shifts a day, each is about 2 ½ hours long.  Volunteers serve in a variety of ways:  assist in picking up the food and unloading the trucks, interviewing clients and ordering their food boxes or filling the boxes of food according to the size of the families.  Fund raising is another aspect of our volunteering. Donations are also welcome.

Matthew 25:35-40  When I was hungry, you gave me food; when thirsty, you gave me drink; when I was a stranger, you took me into your home; when naked, you clothed me; when I was ill, you came to my help; when in prison, you visited me…Truly I tell you; anything you did for one of my brothers here, however insignificant, you did for me.

More information on The Carpenter’s Cupboard:The Carpenter’s Cupboard is a nonprofit charity, incorporated as such with the State of Colorado.  We have filed for our 501-C-3 status with the federal government, but are advised by our attorney that the approval could take as long as eight months.  Any contributions received in the interim, however, are retroactively qualified as charitable.

The Carpenter’s Cupboard is not affiliated with any organization, church or group, although I suppose that we could be described as “faith based”.  (Believe me, it has taken a ton of faith to move out here and buy a house before our home in New Jersey has sold!)  Our only financial support comes from individuals and occasionally from local churches as a community service outreach.

The Carpenter’s Cupboard serves the greater Denver area and does not restrict services to any particular part of the community.  We give food to anyone who asks, based on family size and availability of food on our shelves.  We also distribute donated clothing, baby things; like car seats and toys, household items such as dishes, pots and pans, bedding etc., whatever people are able to give for the needs of others.

A certain amount of money is set aside each month to provide minimal financial support to those with a demonstrable need for help to avoid eviction, loss of utilities, prescription drugs, etc.  We also share information on other sources who may be able to help financially.

Our staff consists of Gretchen and Bud Weidknecht and about 20 volunteers.  No one receives any pay or compensation.  We are open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The days and hours are limited by the amount of food we receive as donations from five area supermarkets and one food warehouse.  We pick up the food in two superannuated former Ryder rental trucks.  We are also limited by the number of volunteers we have.  The volunteers work one or two shifts a day, each is about 2 ½ hours long.  Volunteers serve in a variety of ways:  assist in picking up the food and unloading the trucks, interviewing clients and ordering their food boxes or filling the boxes of food according to the size of the families.  Fund raising is another aspect of our volunteering, for example, our niece and her friend are running in the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC and are using The Carpenter’s Cupboard as their charity.  Fund raising is an ever developing aspect of our project in an effort to serve as many as have needs.

In our first two full months of operation, we have fed about 8,000 people, about 2/3 of which are children.  That puts on track to serve almost 50,000 people for the year.  We operate from five storefronts in a 1950s vintage strip mall in a neighborhood which is not quite “transitional” yet.

We are really in need of volunteers.  Quite a few of the people who worked for Ruth and Vern have returned and a few who had dropped have come back.  Some of the people, however, go away for the winter and that will leave us very vulnerable.  Any suggestions you may have will be welcome.

This is a thumbnail sketch of what The Carpenter’s Cupboard is and does.  It is not very glamorous but it certainly has its rewards.

Thank you for your support.
Gretchen and Bud

For more information or to become a volunteer for this worthy cause contact: Bud and Gretchen Weidknecht at 303-431-8295

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