News
Western Slope Stars Take the Stage to Support Grand Junction’s Food Bank
<p class="" data-start="358" data-end="485">Ten familiar faces from Mesa County are dusting off their dancing shoes for a cause that goes far beyond trophies and applause.</p>
<p class="" data-start="487" data-end="800">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.</p>
<h2 class="" data-start="802" data-end="835">Local Celebrities, Real Stakes</h2>
<p class="" data-start="837" data-end="967">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.</p>
<p class="" data-start="969" data-end="1277">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.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1279" data-end="1297">No, really. Dance.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1299" data-end="1640">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.</p>
<p data-start="1299" data-end="1640"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11782" src="https://budgyapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/dancing-with-western-slope-stars-food-bank-fundraiser.jpg" alt="dancing-with-western-slope-stars-food-bank-fundraiser" width="689" height="422" /></p>
<h2 class="" data-start="1642" data-end="1695">Meet the Dancers: Mesa County’s Movers and Shakers</h2>
<p class="" data-start="1697" data-end="1804">Some of the names on the list might surprise you. Others? Well, they’ve never been shy about the spotlight.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1806" data-end="1852">Here’s who’s confirmed for this year’s lineup:</p>
<ul data-start="1854" data-end="2407">
<li class="" data-start="1854" data-end="1902">
<p class="" data-start="1856" data-end="1902">Darcy Case – Realtor, Western.Slope.Life</p>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="1903" data-end="1944">
<p class="" data-start="1905" data-end="1944">Molly Casey – Miss Grand Junction</p>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="1945" data-end="1999">
<p class="" data-start="1947" data-end="1999">Juli Jacobson – Host, Grand Junction Lifestyle</p>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="2000" data-end="2047">
<p class="" data-start="2002" data-end="2047">Amy Miller – Fruita Chamber of Commerce</p>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="2048" data-end="2104">
<p class="" data-start="2050" data-end="2104">Christi Reece – Founder, The Christi Reece Group</p>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="2105" data-end="2155">
<p class="" data-start="2107" data-end="2155">Cody Kennedy – Grand Junction City Council</p>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="2156" data-end="2197">
<p class="" data-start="2158" data-end="2197">Todd Rowell – Mesa County Sheriff</p>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="2198" data-end="2252">
<p class="" data-start="2200" data-end="2252">Doug Simons Sr. – President, Enstrom’s Candies</p>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="2253" data-end="2337">
<p class="" data-start="2255" data-end="2337">Ken Watkins – Executive Director, CO State Fire Chiefs; former GJ Fire Chief</p>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="2338" data-end="2407">
<p class="" data-start="2340" data-end="2407">Tim Wenger – Journalist and husband of CFB’s Executive Director</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p class="" data-start="2409" data-end="2527">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.”</p>
<h2 class="" data-start="2529" data-end="2570">Voting Opens — And Every Dollar Counts</h2>
<p class="" data-start="2572" data-end="2640">The best part? You don’t have to be in the ballroom to get involved.</p>
<p class="" data-start="2642" data-end="2809">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:</p>
<ul data-start="2811" data-end="2963">
<li class="" data-start="2811" data-end="2845">
<p class="" data-start="2813" data-end="2845">Vote online — just $1 per vote</p>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="2846" data-end="2897">
<p class="" data-start="2848" data-end="2897">Buy a ticket — select your team during checkout</p>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="2898" data-end="2963">
<p class="" data-start="2900" data-end="2963">Reserve a full table — pick your favorite dancer in the process</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p class="" data-start="2965" data-end="3119">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.</p>
<p class="" data-start="3121" data-end="3165">One sentence: That’s fundraising with flair.</p>
<h2 class="" data-start="3167" data-end="3196">More Than Just a Dance-Off</h2>
<p class="" data-start="3198" data-end="3398">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.</p>
<p class="" data-start="3400" data-end="3665">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.</p>
<p class="" data-start="3667" data-end="3825">&#8220;We’re seeing single parents, seniors, even folks with full-time jobs who just can’t stretch a paycheck far enough,&#8221; said a representative from the food bank.</p>
<p class="" data-start="3827" data-end="3873">There’s a lot riding on this event. Literally.</p>
<h2 class="" data-start="3875" data-end="3917">What It Means for Grand Valley Families</h2>
<p class="" data-start="3919" data-end="4005">For some people, it’s a dance competition. For others, it’s dinner for the next month.</p>
<p class="" data-start="4007" data-end="4230">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.</p>
<p class="" data-start="4232" data-end="4374">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.</p>
<p class="" data-start="4376" data-end="4423">Here’s a quick breakdown of how donations help:</p>
<div class="group pointer-events-none relative flex justify-center *:pointer-events-auto"><button class="hover:bg-token-main-surface-secondary text-token-text-secondary pointer-events-auto rounded-lg px-1 py-1 opacity-0 transition-opacity duration-200 group-focus-within:opacity-100 group-hover:opacity-100"></button></p>
<div class="tableContainer horzScrollShadows relative">
<table class="min-w-full" data-start="4425" data-end="4748">
<thead data-start="4425" data-end="4477">
<tr data-start="4425" data-end="4477">
<th data-start="4425" data-end="4443">Donation Amount</th>
<th data-start="4443" data-end="4477">What It Provides</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody data-start="4531" data-end="4748">
<tr data-start="4531" data-end="4583">
<td class="max-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)*2/3)]" data-start="4531" data-end="4550">$10</td>
<td class="max-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)*2/3)]" data-start="4550" data-end="4583">12 meals</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="4584" data-end="4636">
<td class="max-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)*2/3)]" data-start="4584" data-end="4603">$25</td>
<td class="max-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)*2/3)]" data-start="4603" data-end="4636">A week’s food for a family</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="4637" data-end="4689">
<td class="max-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)*2/3)]" data-start="4637" data-end="4656">$100</td>
<td class="max-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)*2/3)]" data-start="4656" data-end="4689">Full pantry restock for a home</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="4690" data-end="4748">
<td class="max-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)*2/3)]" data-start="4690" data-end="4709">$500</td>
<td class="max-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)*2/3)]" data-start="4709" data-end="4748">Emergency groceries for 20 families</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<p class="" data-start="4750" data-end="4853">And those numbers? They’re backed by years of real-world logistics and partnerships with local grocers.</p>
<h2 class="" data-start="4855" data-end="4882">Let’s Dance — With Heart</h2>
<p class="" data-start="4884" data-end="5033">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.</p>
<p class="" data-start="5035" data-end="5112">It’s playful, it’s creative, and it’s coming from a place of real compassion.</p>
<p class="" data-start="5114" data-end="5268">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.”</p>
<p class="" data-start="5270" data-end="5348">Another? “I haven’t danced in 20 years, but this is too important to pass up.”</p>
<p class="" data-start="5350" data-end="5420">One sentence again: It’s less about perfection and more about purpose.</p>