More than 80 staff and students from School District 51 stepped away from their usual routines on Monday to do something a little different — and deeply impactful.
As part of the D51 Foundation’s ongoing JOY Celebration series, volunteers gathered at the Food Bank of the Rockies in Grand Junction to lend their time and energy to an organization that plays a vital role in the community’s food security network.
Bringing Wellness Through Connection
The event wasn’t just about packing boxes — it was about building bonds.
Angela Christensen, Executive Director of the D51 Foundation, explained that the JOY events were created to support wellness among both staff and students — not just physically, but emotionally and socially.
“One of the things we were thinking about — what really creates staff wellness — and certainly it comes down to student wellness, is for all of us to be able to make some connections,” said Christensen. “Having some fun, making connections, and enjoying one another’s company. And so that’s what the JOY celebrations have been all about.”
And the connections were abundant.
A Team Effort in the Warehouse
Volunteers were split into teams of a dozen and assigned to different stations across the Food Bank’s bustling warehouse. Tasks included sorting food, packaging items, and preparing deliveries — all part of the nonprofit’s everyday operations.
From teachers to students, the warehouse buzzed with conversation, laughter, and the shared rhythm of people working toward a common goal.
Teaching By Doing
For Shannon Koppenhafer, a kindergarten teacher at New Emerson Elementary, the event wasn’t just about service — it was a chance to model values for her students.
“All of these people here worked all day. Somehow, somewhere. And then they’re still here — giving to others and working together and smiling and laughing and getting to know each other,” Koppenhafer said. “It gives me hope for our community.”
She emphasized that it’s crucial for children to see adults step outside their daily bubble and engage in real acts of kindness.
“Part of the importance is for us to see outside of our bubble — that there are other people in the world that we can help and support. But I think another part of that is seeing that we can make a difference.”
The Power of Showing Up
The Food Bank of the Rockies supports thousands of people across western Colorado every year, and events like this one not only help the organization meet demand — they also cultivate a culture of service that ripples outward into schools, homes, and neighborhoods.
By turning volunteering into a celebration, the D51 Foundation reminded its community that joy and service don’t have to be separate ideas.
