Pasta with Purpose
The Kids’ Pasta Project began as an idea for empowering youth through fundraising dinners and quickly grew to address a broader opportunity for philanthropy education. It has proven to be a way for kids as well as other community members to serve and learn more about our community.
2,200+
Volunteer hours
17
Years making pasta!
15+
Dinners per year
Founded in 2009
The idea of the Kids’ Pasta Project was seeded as kids churned out homemade pasta and played restaurant together after school. A group of parents whose minds had been on fundraising for school saw the chance to involve kids and create positive educational experiences in the process.
Serving the Community
As kids got involved in the spirit of service, it became clear that this would not be a project exclusive to one school or one cause. Students from all area schools, as well as homeschoolers, have participated in KPP.
Rooted in Community
Kids’ Pasta Projects has hosted dinners at a variety of beautiful venues around the North Fork Valley over the years. There is generally a home base venue with options for catering dinners at other. spots at the request of partner organizations. The Lavender Farm, Big B’s, Stone Cottage Cellars, and more. In 2025, The Creamery Arts Center in Hotchkiss became the main venue, but special dinners are still held at other venues.
KPP holds approximately 15 fundraising dinners per year in the North Fork Valley, providing youth, their parents and other adults opportunities to donate an average of 2,200 meaningful service hours per year at dinners that celebrate and generate income for community organizations. Many community members have supported the project through volunteering, offering in-kind donations, attending dinners and partnering with KPP. It has proven to be a way for kids, parents, mentors and other community members to serve and learn more about the community.
The Benefits of KPP
Families Benefit
Families benefit as kids and parents have opportunities to participate in community service together. While kids learn a lot from the process, parents also enjoy the time working with their kids and other families.
01
Community Organizations Benefit
Community organizations benefit from celebratory fundraising dinners. We have served 170 dinners for community organizations since we began in 2009.
02
Dinner Guests Benefit
Dinner guests benefit by enjoying a delicious dinner and learning more about the community organizations. The average number of guests per dinner is 40.
03
Local Businesses Benefit
Whether we buy food supplies, get them at wholesale prices, or have them donated, we highlight local food and let the dinner guests know where the food comes from.
04
The Community Benefits
Others in the community also benefit from the opportunity to volunteer. While most of our volunteers are kids and their parents, we have had farm interns, business owners, grandparents, and others participate simply because they enjoy the dinners and want to help.