Colorado Springs School District 11 and Joint Initiatives for Youth + Families invite members of the media to visit Galileo Middle School on Friday, September 25, to see a new food pantry and community garden serving local families.

The resources represent the continued growth of the partnership between Galileo and Joint Initiatives and the shared vision of making the school a broader hub of support for students, families and the surrounding community.

The welcoming, market-style pantry offers fresh produce, bread and other household food staples. The Ascend community garden provides an additional resource for families and supports the partnership’s focus on access, connection and community well-being.

Representatives from Galileo, District 11 and Joint Initiatives will be available to provide a tour and discuss how the partnership has developed and how families can access these resources.

WHEN:
Friday, September 25, 2026
Noon

WHERE:
Galileo Middle School
1600 N. Union Blvd.
Colorado Springs, CO 80909

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:

• Galileo Middle School representatives

• Joint Initiatives for Youth + Families representatives

• Colorado Springs School District 11 representatives

VISUAL OPPORTUNITIES:

• Fully stocked, market-style food pantry

• Fresh produce and household food staples

• Ascend community garden

• Tour of the family resources available on the Galileo campus

Colorado Springs School District 11 and Joint Initiatives for Youth + Families invite members of the media to visit Galileo Middle School on Friday, September 25, to see a new food pantry and community garden serving local families.

The resources represent the continued growth of the partnership between Galileo and Joint Initiatives and the shared vision of making the school a broader hub of support for students, families and the surrounding community.

The welcoming, market-style pantry offers fresh produce, bread and other household food staples. The Ascend community garden provides an additional resource for families and supports the partnership’s focus on access, connection and community well-being.

Representatives from Galileo, District 11 and Joint Initiatives will be available to provide a tour and discuss how the partnership has developed and how families can access these resources.

WHEN:

Friday, September 25, 2026
Noon

WHERE:

Galileo Middle School
1600 N. Union Blvd.
Colorado Springs, CO 80909

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:

• Galileo Middle School representatives

• Joint Initiatives for Youth + Families representatives

• Colorado Springs School District 11 representatives

VISUAL OPPORTUNITIES:

• Fully stocked, market-style food pantry

• Fresh produce and household food staples

• Ascend community garden

• Tour of the family resources available on the Galileo campus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | September 16, 2026

The Abram and Ray Kaplan Foundation matches donations up to $50,000 to offset shortfall.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Silver Key is asking the community to help protect transportation access for older adults as the organization prepares for a funding reduction of approximately $36,000 per month beginning in January 2027 - an annualized shortfall of $432,000.

The Abram and Ray Kaplan Foundation has awarded a $50,000 challenge grant to help offset the shortfall. Silver Key is calling on foundations, businesses, healthcare partners, donors and community members to help meet the challenge while the organization develops a more sustainable transportation model.

The funding loss will place additional pressure on a system already unable to meet demand. Silver Key's Reserve & Ride program provides approximately 34,000 rides each year to more than 1,500 older adults. During the past year, Silver Key was unable to accommodate more than 5,000 additional ride requests because available drivers, vehicles and resources could not keep pace with community need.

Reserve & Ride connects older adults to physicians, dialysis and other healthcare appointments, grocery stores, food resources, community activities, places of worship and other destinations that support independence and connection. Trained staff also provide assisted transportation for people who use wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen and other supportive devices.

“A ride to dialysis protects someone’s health. A ride to the grocery store protects independence. A ride that allows someone to remain connected protects belonging,” said Jason DeaBueno, President and CEO of Silver Key. “The Kaplan Foundation has given our community an opportunity to decide what we value and help protect all three.”

Community support will help preserve transportation capacity while Silver Key builds new partnerships, explores service-model innovations and diversifies resources for long-term sustainability.

About Silver Key

Since 1970, Silver Key has worked alongside older adults throughout the Pikes Peak region to support independence, health, dignity and connection. Silver Key serves more than 11,000 older adults annually through transportation, nutrition, health and wellness, behavioral health, housing, community navigation and other services.