The Kids’ Pasta Project (KPP) of the North Fork Valley hosted an awards dinner on Jan. 18, Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, where it presented the first annual “KPP Building Bridges Service Award” to two deserving local organizations. Award applicants had sent in written applications answering questions about how they strengthen community, empower individuals and build bridges in the community.

Kids’ Pasta Project volunteers Alexander Feldman, Fynn Blake, Dylan Crane and Diane Hackl form the serving line for bread, salad, home made pasta and apple crisp at the KPP Building Bridges Service Award dinner.

A committee of 10 youth reviewed the applications and, using a matrix, agreed to two organizations who would receive the first and second prizes, $200 and $50. The Paonia Library took first place and the Tri-County Resource Center took second. The group learned a lot about our wonderful community as they reviewed the applications. (See the speeches that they wrote about the recipients below.)

Kids’ Pasta Project volunteers Serena Blake and Emma Crane present speeches they prepared about award recipients as volunteer Cara Littlefield stands nearby waiting to present the prize checks.

Two of the youth presented their speeches about the recipient organizations along with the prize checks at the dinner. Then volunteer Cara Littlefield, age 10, quoted from Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech, “I have a dream that someday my four children will be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character...” As youth volunteer Alexander Feldman commented, “KPP teaches kids the purpose of this dream.”

The mission of the Kids’ Pasta Project is for youth to serve their community by preparing and serving freshly-made, healthy meals, with the profits going to local causes. Dinners are held at Scenic Mesa Ranch in Hotchkiss for different partner-recipients most Mondays by reservation only. The Feb. 8 dinner partner-recipient is Partners. For more information, visit the KPP website, www.kidspastaproject.org, OR e-mail kidspastaproject@gmail.com or call 250-6836.

First prize for the Kids Pasta Project Building Bridges Service Award goes to Paonia Library by Emma Crane, age 12 —

Many good organizations do great work in Delta County and it was difficult to choose who should receive this award. But after reading through the responses of the organizations, we decided the following: Paonia Library is an incredible resource for our community. The library staff is very helpful, kind and encouraging. The library was initially afraid of moving from its downtown location, but now they know it was a good choice because the new library is a beautiful home of books. Thank you for the courage to move to the new location.

The Library empowers people by providing special skill in reading, theater, arts, writing, music, and history presentations. The library and its literature come alive when you walk through the doors. The best thing about the library is that it belongs to everyone and always remains free and open to everyone. Thanks for contributing to our whole community!

“Tri-County Resources Strengthens Community” by Serena Blake, age 12 —

Tri County Resources strengthens the community by providing needs for women, children and men, such as food, shelter and clothing, and it helps them be and feel safe. It strengthens one person at a time and teaches how to live a life without violence for clients and children.

Some people who benefit from Tri-County give back to the community as a way of saying thank you. The clients of Tri County become a collective voice for those who live with people who don’t treat them well. Tri County works closely with groups from judges in court to police to ministers.

A lot of people become involved with domestic violence and Tri County wants to help. Tri County reflects one of Martin Luther King’s quotes: At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love.” There is hope that all of these people will turn and learn to live safely and protect the ones they love.

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