COVID-19 has created major disruptions in our community, and many of our neighbors are in need of help. Here is an updated list of resources that we think will be of value in the days and weeks ahead.
Emergency Food & Shelter Program Funding
EFSP funds are awarded through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and supplement food and shelter services. Apply now through January 26, 2021.
Musicians And Artists
Colorado Arts Relief Grant
The Colorado Arts Relief Fund is providing up to $7.5 million to “support arts, cultural and entertainment artists, crew members, and organizations affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.” Apply by January 8, 2021 at 4 p.m.
Bonfils-Stanton Foundation
Bonfils–Stanton Foundation and The Denver Foundation considers grants to support innovation and artist leadership.
MusicCares Help For The Holidays
As part of MusiCares’ continued COVID-19 relief, MusiCares will be offering $250 essential goods e-cards to the first 4000 applicants. Head here.
Rocky Mountain Music Relief
Help feed hungry musicians and their families with a donation.
Community Gig Alert
Clay Rose of the Gasoline Lollipops will be performing every Tuesday for the next several Tuesdays at the Boulder Bandshell at 4 p.m. for homeless folks in the area. If you go, bring any extra warm clothes, food, hand warmers, toiletries, warm socks, bagged lunches, and the like. Also, bring a drum to jam with!
Food Drives
Every dollar you donate through Boulder Theater’s 85th Anniversary Food Drive helps Boulder’s communities.
Food Banks
All area food banks are facing increased demand and are in need of both cash donations and volunteer help in order to maintain services.
- Statewide: FoodPantries.org
- Larimer County:
Food Bank for Larimer County
Loveland Community Kitchen
Loveland Rotary KidsPak - Weld County: Weld Food Bank
- Boulder & Broomfield: Community Food Share
- Steamboat Springs: LiftUp Routt County
- Summit County
Family and Intercultural Resource Center
Summit County Food Assistance Program
Dilon Church Food Pantry
- Denver Metro: Food Bank of the Rockies
- Adams County: Adams County Foodbank
- Longmont:
Our Center
Erie Community Food Bank
North Denver Cares Food Pantry - Other Areas
LiftUp Routt County
Family and Intercultural Resource Center
Area Blood Banks
Restrictions on large gatherings are forcing cancellations of community blood drives, the largest source of blood donations. The FDA has declared that donating and receiving blood is safe as long as proper precautions are taken. Donations are being accepted at these locations:
- Garth Englund Blood Center (Fort Collins-Loveland-Greeley)
- Vitalant (statewide)
- Children’s Hospital Colorado
United Ways
United Way of Weld County has information and a list of important resources and has partnered with Weld Community Foundation to introduce the Weld Recovers Fund: COVID-19 Relief to provide financial resources to charitable organizations in the Weld County area that are involved in supporting populations that have been affected by the outbreak.
United Way of Larimer County has a comprehensive list of volunteer opportunities and resources available, and in partnership with the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado has announced the Northern Colorado COVID-19 Response Fund to assist those already struggling as a result of new public health-related policies that affect local families’ ability to maintain financial stability.
Northern Colorado United Ways:
- Mile High United Way (Foothills)
- Mile High United Way, Inc.
- United Way of Larimer County, Inc.
- United Way of Weld County
Here are links to other United Ways in your Colorado area:
- Moffat County United Way
- Pikes Peak United Way
- Pueblo County United Way, Inc.
- Routt County United Way
- United Way Battlement to the Bells
- United Way of Eagle River Valley
- United Way of Mesa County
- United Way of Morgan County, Inc.
- United Way of Southwest Colorado
Fire Relief
- Cameron Peak Fire Relief
Larimer County Recovery Resources
United Way of Larimer County Fire Relief Fund
Wildland Firefighter Foundation
Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department
Glacier View Fire Department - East Troublesome Fire
Grand County
Grand Foundation Wildfire Emergency Fund
Utility Assistance
Pet and Farm Food Assistance
- 4 Paws Pet Food Pantry, Fort Collins
- Elder Pet Care, Fort Collins
- Animal Friends Alliance, Fort Collins
- Colorado Pet Pantry
- League for Animals and People of the Summit (LAPS)
- Mile High Rescue, Centennial
- Colorado Horse Rescue
Mental Health Resources
- National Suicide Prevention Hotline
- Larimer County: Summit Stone Health Partners
- Greeley, Windsor, Ft Lupton: North Range Behavioral Health
- Denver: Denver Health
- Boulder: Boulder Community Health
- Steamboat: Northwest Colorado Health
Comprehensive Pet Assistance Resources
Low-Cost Veterinary Care and Veterinary Care Assistance
- Max Fund Wellness Center, Denver
- The Cartwright Foundation, Denver/Northern Colorado
- LAPS, Summit County
General Assistance resources
- Housing Resources: The Arc Of Larimer County
- General Help, searchable by zip code
- Veterans Assistance Programs
- Housing Assistance: Neighbor To Neighbor, Fort Collins/Loveland
- Food assistance for seniors
- Colorado Assistance: Rent, food, medical help, and more
- Statewide Food Bank network
General Ways To Help
Support Local Businesses: Many restaurants remain open for takeout and delivery, and some local stores are offering curbside service or delivery. And buying gift certificates online when possible also helps provide much-needed cash during forced closures.
If you have an appointment with a service provider that must be canceled (house cleaner, hairdresser, etc) that you’ve already budgeted for, consider paying them anyway.
Support Local Arts Organizations: Cancelled performances are taking much-needed income from local performing arts non-profits. If you bought tickets to a local theater performance, symphony concert, or similar event, consider donating any refund to the organization.
Support Local Artists and Venues: Cancelled performances are also impacting venues and artists. Many shows will be rescheduled, so don’t ask for refunds. Just hold on to purchased tickets until the new date.
Many local bands are performing live-streamed shows to support themselves. Follow them on social media to stay up to date, and buying merch from their website is always a good way to help.
Personal:
Create a household plan of action in case anyone in your family becomes sick. The CDC has recommendations.
Reach out to friends, family, and neighbors who might be high-risk (especially the elderly or immunocompromised) to offer to grocery shop, pick up medicine, or other essentials. Even just a phone call to check in on them can help them through lonely and scary times.
Do you have information on ways you can help? Send us a tip using the form below.