Friends and Denverites Cedric Pride and Rich Lewis threw themselves a dual birthday bash Saturday, and local food pantries reaped the presents.
Several hundred people showed up at Montbello High School to contribute canned food to the Civic Summit Community Food Drive, an event planned by Pride and Lewis.
“It’s tough times for people,” said Pride, who celebrated his birthday on Friday.
Lewis celebrates his birthday today. The two men decided to sandwich a party between their two birthdays, and the food drive was born.
“We want to feed 5,000 people,” Pride said.
Lots of live entertainment and music spun by a disc jockey lured the crowd to the high school’s gymnasium, where friends gathered in groups and people gave shout-outs and hugs as they came and went.
Tangala Ash, a local resident who graduated from Montbello High, showed up toting a white shopping bag with several cans of soup.
“It’s great,” Ash said of the event. “We’re able to come together as a community and help people. I’m happy to see it and be a part of it.”
People who attended donated at least three canned goods apiece.
Pride was expecting between 400 and 500 people throughout the afternoon. Some people who were too busy to stay dropped off sacks and boxes with cans at the door.
Terri Kuehn was among the volunteers who helped sort and load items into vehicles, which ferried the goods to local food pantries.
“I think it’s a really good thing,” Kuehn said. “The community needs the food badly.”
Kuehn said local food pantries were busy through the holidays, with many shelves being cleaned out, so the early January timing of the event is prime.
“They’ve been bare. They’re starting to get a little more,” Kuehn said. “This is something that’s needed year-round. This is pretty good.”
Entertainment was provided by the Montbello High School Drumline, recording artist Al B. Sure, the Mary Louise Lee Band and others.
Comedian Derrick Ellis of Los Angeles was among those who donated their time and performed.
Ellis said, “I felt like I should do it because it’s a good event.”
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com
