FOOD BANK OF LARIMER COUNTY -BY LINDA OSMUDSON
Contrary to what most people think, the food bank does not serve meals on-site at their facility. Instead, they cater senior meals served off-site through Volunteers of America’s Smiling Spoons program (https://smilingspoonblog.wordpress.com/). For reservations call 970-472-9630 by 11:00 am the day before you wish to dine with us.
Chilson Senior Center – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 11:45 am-12:15 pm, 700 East 4th Street (Loveland)
Fort Collins Senior Center – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 11:45 am-12:15 pm, 1200 Raintree Drive (Fort Collins)
Bellvue Grange- Every Thursday, 12 pm-12:30 pm, 2929 N. CR 23 (Bellvue)
Sanctuary Apartments – Every Wednesday, 11:30 am-12:00 pm, 3732 Kunz Court (Fort Collins)
Oakbrook I & II- In-person dining for Residents Only, Monday, Wednesday, Friday 11:45 am – 12:15 pm
That said, meals are prepared by volunteers at the facility. For information to give time, check https://foodbanklarimer.org/volunteer/. Volunteer Lori Ferin says, “The Food Bank of Larimer County is an amazing organization with so many wonderful, selfless people working and volunteering there. It is a community that I love and I am happy to call many of them my friends. I like to volunteer there because I don’t want to see food insecurity for anyone, especially the kiddos.” Lori works in the kitchen preparing and packing lunches for senior citizens in conjunction with Volunteers of America. She also bags lunches and after school snacks for Boys and Girls Clubs. Lori adds, “Cooking is fun and rewarding. How often do you get to prepare a recipe that feeds 140 people!”
Zac Hummel, Community Impact Manager, says the food bank is also working on a frozen vending machine program. “Currently, we have launched one frozen food machine stocked with frozen meals at the Sunrise Health Clinic in Loveland on 3rd Street SE. Meals are senior-friendly and are available for purchase at a subsidized rate of $1-$2. The machine is in the lobby and available to the public.” Zac adds, “We are working on forming more partnerships to get more of these vending machines into the public, but they aren’t quite ready yet.”
The food bank has two primary services for seniors at their direct distribution locations in Loveland, 2600 N Lincoln Ave, and Fort Collins, 1301 Blue Spruce Drive.
Senior-friendly hours for shopping - Every Wednesday from 12-3 our food bank is limited to seniors and those with disabilities. We provide additional volunteers to support the shopping process and since the audience is limited, the line is typically shorter.
Everyday Eats - USDA commodity boxes called Everyday Eats are distributed at both locations. These boxes have an assortment of dry foods that are tailored for seniors. If someone wants to join the program, they can sign up at their location with a valid form of I.D. and proof of Larimer County residency. Boxes can be picked up once a month.
For the many ways to donate, go to https://foodbanklarimer.org/other-ways-to-give/.
Linda Osmundson is a published author. She lives in a wonderful neighborhood in Fort Collins. Learn more about her at www.LindaOsmundson.com.
