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A Poignant Holiday Meal Delivery

_x000D_ The first winter storm came through in November the same day that nearly 20 Conscious Alliance staff and volunteers headed from Boulder to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. With a Penske truck loaded down with turkeys and vegetables, and a caravan following, we all arrived safely (noteworthy truck driving by Cathryn Folkestad, our Development and Communications Manager is multitalented). The next morning, we woke up energized, ready to provide 600 families with holiday meals._x000D_ _x000D_ Among the smiles, expressed gratitude and high fives, the image here is one that will remain with us. Our Holiday Meal Delivery had been announced on the local radio station and we distribute meals first come, first serve. On Saturday when we arrived at our food pantry to set up, 2 hours before our doors would open, there was a long line of cars already waiting in the frigid temperatures for an opportunity to receive a holiday meal. We opened the gate and gave each car a complete holiday meal (turkey, potatoes, beans, corn, stuffing, gravy, and soup). When we had distributed all the meals, there was still a line of cars. This is the real need and the reason for our work. Your membership means a great deal to us because each of those cars has a story and each has a family in need of a hearty meal. Together we step up to ensure that the line gets smaller until no one is left on the side of the road without a meal. Thank you for taking action by being a Conscious Alliance member!_x000D_ _x000D_ If you give a hunger relief organization a barrel…  _x000D_

_x000D_ “I’ve sold millions of containers in my life and the best use of my containers is to fill them with donated food. I’m lucky because Conscious Alliance uses my barrels and warehouse space to temporarily store food, and so I get to see all the barrels of food come in from local events, and I get to think about the impact that food will make, and I get to witness the barrels leave and I know the food is going to someone in need. Honestly, I am more proud of my role with Conscious Alliance than my own successful business. My involvement with Conscious Alliance has taught me that if you learn to give, you realize you get so much more in return.”

_x000D_ Michael ‚ÄúBanker‚Äù Bank is a barrel guy ‚Äì well, Banker is the 4^th-generation of his family working in the Industrial Container Industry, so he isn‚Äôt just ‚Äúa barrel guy.‚Äù He is also a live music fan and an all-around engaged and kind person. He started as a volunteer with us in 2002 at our food drives. When Conscious Alliance joined our first national tour with the Dead in 2004, Banker immediately saw that the job would require us to have more barrels for food. He stepped up and called his network to help. The result? No matter where we go ‚Äì either through Banker directly or through his network within the Reusable Industrial Packaging Association -- we have plenty of food-safe 50 gallon barrels to receive and transport our food donations! If you give this organization a barrel, we will fill it with food!_x000D_ _x000D_ JJ Grey warms the room at Arcana with his passion &¬†spectacular playing: _x000D_ _x000D_ Thanks to all who came out on December 4^th for An Evening with JJ Grey at the Arcana Restaurant in Boulder! It was great to see so many friends and make new connections. We had fun celebrating this holiday season with you! Our buddy and professional photographer, Tobin Voggesser was there with his camera and here are some great captured moments we‚Äôd like to share with you._x000D_ _x000D_ Get a head-start on the whole ‚ÄúPOP! Fizz, Clink‚Äù_x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ The String Cheese Incident¬†and Conscious Alliance are proud to announce we are teaming up to host¬†an ‚ÄòArt That Feeds‚Äô Food Drive at the band‚Äôs 3-night New Year‚Äôs Eve¬†run at¬†1STBANK Center in Broomfield, CO on December 29th-31st! Artist¬†Half Hazard Press¬†is creating a limited-edition poster for this special event (pictured below)._x000D_ _x000D_  _x000D_ _x000D_ Because you are a member, we are offering you an opportunity to pre-order the poster and have it mailed to your home! Act fast, we are only doing 10 posters on pre-order. You can get yours here and it will be shipped on Jan 5^th._x000D_ _x000D_ Communicate back