Ten familiar faces from Mesa County are dusting off their dancing shoes for a cause that goes far beyond trophies and applause.

The Community Food Bank of Grand Junction is gearing up to host its inaugural Dancing with the Western Slope Stars fundraiser on Saturday, May 3 at 6 p.m. The goal? Raise enough money to keep nutritious food flowing to families across the Grand Valley — all while putting on a show the community won’t forget.

Local Celebrities, Real Stakes

This isn’t just a night of glitz and glamour — though there’ll be plenty of that. It’s also about food. Real food for real people.

With rising costs, stretched supply chains, and more families relying on assistance, the stakes have never felt more urgent. So instead of another black-tie dinner or silent auction, the Community Food Bank decided to try something a little different: give the spotlight to local leaders and make them dance.

No, really. Dance.

From city council members to realtors and journalists, each of the ten participants will be paired with a professional dance instructor to create a unique performance. They’ll hit the floor in front of a packed crowd and battle it out — one cha-cha, waltz, or salsa at a time — for a chance to win the community-voted Mirror Ball Trophy.

Meet the Dancers: Mesa County’s Movers and Shakers

Some of the names on the list might surprise you. Others? Well, they’ve never been shy about the spotlight.

Here’s who’s confirmed for this year’s lineup:

• Darcy Case – Realtor, Western.Slope.Life

• Molly Casey – Miss Grand Junction

• Juli Jacobson – Host, Grand Junction Lifestyle

• Amy Miller – Fruita Chamber of Commerce

• Christi Reece – Founder, The Christi Reece Group

• Cody Kennedy – Grand Junction City Council

• Todd Rowell – Mesa County Sheriff

• Doug Simons Sr. – President, Enstrom’s Candies

• Ken Watkins – Executive Director, CO State Fire Chiefs; former GJ Fire Chief

• Tim Wenger – Journalist and husband of CFB’s Executive Director

Now that’s a lineup. One local resident joked, “I’d pay just to see the sheriff dance. The food bank part is a bonus.”

Voting Opens — And Every Dollar Counts

The best part? You don’t have to be in the ballroom to get involved.

Voting is open to everyone, and it’s as simple as clicking a few buttons. Here’s how you can support your favorite team and make sure your dollars feed local families:

• Vote online — just $1 per vote

• Buy a ticket — select your team during checkout

• Reserve a full table — pick your favorite dancer in the process

Each vote equals a donation. Every dollar raised goes directly to the food bank’s mission of keeping shelves stocked and bellies full in the Grand Valley.

One sentence: That’s fundraising with flair.

More Than Just a Dance-Off

At first glance, the event seems like a fun spin on a popular format — think “Dancing with the Stars,” Western Slope edition. But the underlying goal is deeply rooted in the community’s current needs.

The Community Food Bank, like so many others across the country, has seen a sharp increase in demand over the last two years. Rising grocery prices, employment instability, and housing costs are pushing more families to seek help. And it’s not just one demographic.

“We’re seeing single parents, seniors, even folks with full-time jobs who just can’t stretch a paycheck far enough,” said a representative from the food bank.

There’s a lot riding on this event. Literally.

What It Means for Grand Valley Families

For some people, it’s a dance competition. For others, it’s dinner for the next month.

Every $25 raised can feed a family of four for an entire week. Multiply that by a few hundred attendees, a few thousand votes, and maybe a couple of generous donors in the crowd — and suddenly you’re talking serious impact.

That’s not just speculation either. Past food bank fundraisers have raised upwards of $50,000, and this one has the potential to surpass that.

Here’s a quick breakdown of how donations help:

And those numbers? They’re backed by years of real-world logistics and partnerships with local grocers.

Let’s Dance — With Heart

It’s not every day you see a county sheriff attempt the foxtrot, or a travel journalist try to master the samba. But that’s kind of the beauty of it.

It’s playful, it’s creative, and it’s coming from a place of real compassion.

One participant said, “I’m absolutely terrified, but also kind of thrilled. If I can embarrass myself and help feed people at the same time, count me in.”

Another? “I haven’t danced in 20 years, but this is too important to pass up.”

One sentence again: It’s less about perfection and more about purpose.