In partnership with the Longmont Youth Center, Community Food Share, Longmont Food Rescue, and Weld Food Bank, the Friends of Longmont Youth (FLY) have begun weekly grocery distribution at three locations around Longmont. Open to all, the grant-funded grocery program is being offered in an effort to help respond to the ongoing increase in food insecurity as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Groceries include produce, proteins, pasta or rice, snacks, and other nutritious items for the whole family. Typically, bags of groceries weigh in at around 15 to 20 pounds.
“Everyone is welcome,” said Meca Delgado, Treasurer of the board of FLY. “There are no forms to fill out, no income requirements or restrictions on who can get food. We recognize there are many people for whom this may be their first-time receiving assistance, and we believe there shouldn’t be any additional barriers to asking for support.”
The 3 distribution sites are
• Mondays, 3:30 pm-5 pm: Emery Street Apartments – 1440 Emery St.
• Tuesdays, 11 am-12:30 pm: River Valley Mobile Home Park – 10910 Turner Blvd.
• Fridays, 3:30 pm-5 pm: Cloverbasin Village – 630 South Peck Dr.
The Community Meals Program offers meals at no cost to youth and families in Longmont during this time of economic uncertainty. Pre-packaged groceries are made available weekly, and families can also access services and resources related to employment, housing, childcare, and mental health supports.
Drive-up and walk-up services are available. FLY and its community partners follow COVID-19 safety protocols at all locations and require participants to wear masks per County and State health guidelines. Additional information about grocery distribution and the Community Meals Program can be found by visiting longmontcolorado.gov/food.
For more information about the Community Meals Program and the Youth Center, please contact Christina Pacheco Sims, Children, Youth, and Families Manager, at christina.sims@longmontcolorado.gov or 303-774-3752.