Colorado Gives Day 2022: GPHC

We are Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. (GPHC), a nonprofit registered neighborhood organization supported by volunteers, individuals, farms, food banks, corporations and businesses, all of which enable our organization to establish community-building initiatives and offer essential programs to residents in Park Hill and beyond.

Among our many programs is an all-volunteer-run emergency food pantry, which provides a three-day food supply based on household size. We allocate 18 visits per year (we’re increasing that number to 24 in 2023) for every registered household, independent of where they live. This year alone, we’ve distributed nearly 10,000 meals and 30,000 pounds of food to more than 1,500 individuals and families. We also offer a free vegetable farm stand during the growing season, an annual Thanksgiving meal distribution that provides free meals to in-need families, a weekend food program to support students who may not have enough to eat on the weekends and a seed program to jumpstart vegetable gardens for low-income individuals and families.

We are fierce advocates of sustainable practices and have achieved Certifiably Green Denver Business status every year since 2017 by meeting a set of criteria in energy efficiency, water conservation, resource conservation, alternative transportation and business management.

Additionally, we focus on numerous sustainability initiatives that help neighbors reduce their ecological footprint, including identifying and addressing barriers to walking, biking and transit use through educational workshops, neighborhood walks and rides, and continued audits. We also strive to establish a zero-waste mentality in the neighborhood by encouraging residents to reduce the waste they create and to properly dispose of what they can’t reduce through recycling, composting and donating. We even offer a directory on our website with tips for reducing waste, as well as resources for responsibly disposing many household items. 

As well, we promote low- and no-cost ways for neighbors and local businesses to conserve energy and opt for renewable energy sources whenever possible.  

On the education front, GPHC has worked with schools to provide tutoring assistance and supplies. On the zoning front, GPHC volunteers have worked diligently over the last several years to oppose lot-splitting and the destruction of affordable housing. More recently, GPHC has worked to minimize adverse impacts on the neighborhood resulting from the comprehensive revision of the Denver Zoning Code. 

We also host several events throughout the year, including a home tour, street fair and garden walk, all of which brings our community together to celebrate the vibrancy of our neighborhood.

Testimonials 

As a native Denver and Park Hill resident, I knew when I retired, I wanted to give my time and energy to the Greater Park Hill Community. Volunteering and managing the food pantry at Greater Park Hill Community, Inc has been a perfect fit for me because I’m helping to feed people in my own community.  This organization has had a solid track record as a vital community resource since the 1960s and the people who work with me are kind, caring and friendly. -- Deb Rosenbaum, Greater Park Hill Community, Inc. emergency pantry volunteer manager

Please consider donating to our general fund so we can continue to benefit the wonderful community we serve. You can read more about our history, organization, programs and initiatives on our website.