CBMR raises $14,143 for Mountain Roots Food Project

First Donation Day after two-year hiatus

[  By Kendra Walker  ]

On Saturday, March 19, Crested Butte Mountain Resort held its annual Donation Day at the ski area and raised a total of $14,143 for the valley’s Mountain Roots Food Project. Mountain Roots helps address food insecurities in the Gunnison Valley through various food assistance and education programs. 

Individual donations totaled $6,643, which were met by a $7,500 guaranteed match from the Vail Resorts EpicPromise Foundation.

“Between the generous donors and the Vail Resorts EpicPromise Foundation, we were able to raise more than $14,000 for Mountain Roots Food Project. Every cent raised will go to Mountain Roots and the important work they do to support this community,” said CBMR communications manager Julie Block.  

“After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, we were thrilled to bring back Donation Day at CBMR this past weekend,” said Block. “Community members, guests and CBMR team members came together to support the Mountain Roots Food Project and help feed the Gunnison Valley. With the giving spirit from this community and excitement for the Al Johnson Telemark Race that same day, it was a very vibrant, high-energy day at CBMR! We are so proud to be part of a community that gives back in this way, and to help facilitate that effort in any way we can.”

The Mountain Roots team shared their appreciation for the Donation Day and the community’s support.

“This partnership means that the Vail EpicPromise Foundation sees Mountain Roots as a key part of what makes our community great,” said Mountain Roots development coordinator Rachel Branham. “They recognize that our programs are aligned with their values of environmental sustainability and addressing critical community needs. We address a need shared by each member of our community – the need for fresh, nutritious food. The first step to feeding people is growing food!”

“Vail Resorts has such a big influence in our small mountain community,” said Mountain Roots executive director Holly Conn. “It’s promising to see their pledge to be carbon-zero by 2030. The Epic Promise program is one tangible way they are using their power for good. Mountain Roots is out in the community, on farms, and in our schools working toward social, economic, environmental and community health, and by supporting Mountain Roots and Vail is showing that they want to invest in the overall well being of the community. Not to mention the enthusiasm around local food and food issues we saw from the skiers that day! People really care about health and our planet and they want to help change things for the better.”

Branham shared more about Mountain Roots’ regenerative agriculture programs. “In 2021, our Regenerative Agriculture and Food Security programs grew over 12,000 pounds of vegetables and distributed hundreds of boxes of fresh produce to families in need. In 2022, we’re gearing up for an incredible growing season and are looking forward to increasing our fresh food distribution from 16 weeks last year to 52 weeks in 2022!” she said. 

“Mountain Roots’ programs do so many different things for so many different beneficiaries, yet many people who are familiar with us only know about one or two of the myriad things we do!” said Branham. “It was so fun to share a little more about all of the ways that Mountain Roots does all things local food in the Gunnison Valley – from building the market for local food, to distributing locally grown food to families in need, to teaching people of all ages about the benefits – we love sharing our love for local!”