Community Resources Available Right Now - The Colorado Sound

Community Resources Available Right Now

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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.

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:

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: 

Here are links to other United Ways in your Colorado area:

Fire Relief

Utility Assistance

Pet and Farm Food Assistance

Mental Health Resources

Comprehensive Pet Assistance Resources

Low-Cost Veterinary Care and Veterinary Care Assistance

General Assistance resources

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.