In particular, Lexi's son was taking extra food to school to share with classmates who had run out of lunch money. This sparked the formation of Erie UpLink, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, with the hope to be a "link" between those in need and folks wanting to help.

​It began with the flagship Tiger Packs program, serving 11 students, and it grew quickly to feeding over 100 children and then over 150 children monthly. With fundraising and community support, assistance continues to grow to include seasonal clothing and personal items, yearly Christmas stockings, sponsorships for college planning and student scholarships. Always with the goal to connect Erie families with resources to fulfill their basic life needs and the desire to provide hope and demonstrate care for one another.

​Today, Erie UpLink serves 174 students from 78 families in the Erie High School Feeder System with the assistance and dedication of individual community members, partner organizations, local businesses and the town of Erie.

In 2011 moms Stephanie Short, Lexi Cire, and Lisa Knudsen were concerned about unmet needs they had witnessed in the Erie, Colorado community….