SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – In 2011, Bread & Broth began its Adopt A Day of Nourishment (AAD) program to both raise funds to cover Monday Meal costs and to provide opportunities for individuals, organizations, churches, and businesses to participate in its Monday Meal events. This AAD program allows sponsors to experience firsthand the positive impact that their support has on community members who attend these free, hot, full-course dinner meals.
Since the program’s inception, Vail Resort’s EpicPromise Grant has played a significant role by providing grant funds to sponsor a monthly AAD. Initially, only Heavenly Mountain Resort hosted a monthly meal, sending three to five sponsor crew members to volunteer at the Monday Meal. Within a few years, Kirkwood Mountain Resort also joined this effort and began alternating months with the Heavenly Mountain Resort team members.
To this day, the tradition of Vail’s EpicPromise Grant funds sponsoring monthly meals continues. Both Heavenly and Kirkwood Mountain Resort team members remain committed as AAD crew members, bringing their enthusiasm and dedication to helping Bread & Broth (B&B) feed the vulnerable in our community.
On November 17, Kirkwood members Natash Buffo, Dan Deemer, Adam Donaldson, Zachary Grimm, and Morgan Linn partnered with the B&B volunteers to serve the 138 dinner guests. The menu featured BBQ chicken thighs, baked beans, cream corn, and a garden salad. Helping at her first Monday Meal dinner, Natasha found the experience to be uplifting and meaningful. She expressed, “It feels encouraging and comforting to connect to our community this way. I was blown away by the amount of food that was provided and so many ‘thank you’ and ‘enjoy your dinner’ were exchanged that I think it could fuel our hearts for the rest of the week.”
A few weeks later, on December 1, it was Heavenly Mountain Resort’s turn to host the Monday Meal. According to Jon Molina, a Kirkwood IT supervisor, the evening meal service “was a really incredible opportunity to serve our community. It’s super rewarding to be able to positively affect others. Thanks to Bread & Broth, it’s really great to be able to assist!”
Jon was joined by fellow Kirkwood team members Kellie Rochioli and Katie Shanks. Together they served 125 first servings and 25 second servings of BBQ brisket, baked beans, coleslaw, and onion rings.
Appreciation goes out to Vail’s EpicPromise Grant program and to the incredible team members from Heavenly and Kirkwood Mountain Resorts for their continued support of Bread & Broth.
This commitment significantly contributes to the ongoing efforts to improve the lives of individuals and families within the community.
For additional information about making donations, volunteering, or learning more about Bread & Broth, please visit www.breadandbroth.org or follow Bread & Broth on Instagram or Facebook.
-Bread & Broth
