The Colorado COVID-19 Emergency Hunger Relief Fund recently awarded the Friends of Longmont Youth (FLY) $10,500 for the Community Meals Program to help respond to the ongoing increase in food insecurity in Longmont as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. FLY’s mission is to support positive youth development programs, in partnership with the City of Longmont Children, Youth, and Families Division. The Community Meals Program is a collaborative effort involving FLY, the Longmont Youth Center, St. Vrain Valley School District’s Nutrition Services, Community Food Share, Longmont Food Rescue, Weld Food Bank, and Bridge House Community Table Kitchen. Funds from the grant will be used to continue existing programs that provide meals for adults and youth and to purchase locally-sourced groceries.  

“FLY is thrilled with this award,” said Meca Delgado, Treasurer of the Board of FLY. “The funding will enable us to more adequately meet the needs of the youth and families we are serving. For a while, we were running out of meals before everyone had a chance to eat, and now that shouldn’t be an issue.”

The Community Meals Program, which is typically only offered in the summer, has expanded its services as a result of the devastating economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program has served over 20,000 meals and distributed another 20,000 pounds of groceries since mid-June. FLY received two grants earlier this year from the Colorado COVID Relief Fund totaling $100,000 to help support the program; a $25,000 grant was awarded in June and an additional $75,000 grant was awarded in early September.  

“We’re very fortunate to have the team that we do – community leaders and local nonprofits who have pivoted quickly to help meet this need,” said Kyl Caragol, Youth Program Leader with the Longmont Youth Center. “As a result of this team and this funding, we will be able to continue providing meals and groceries until school lets out for Winter Break in December.”

In addition to meals, youth and families are provided with take-home activity kits from the Longmont Youth Center, books donated by Friends of the Longmont Library, and cloth masks donated by The Hidden Treasure 2. Resources on housing, employment, mental health, and academic success are also offered to families needing support.

Additional information about the Community Meals Program can be found by visiting the Children, Youth, and Families website.

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.
 
For more information about Friends of Longmont Youth, please contact Meca Delgado, Treasurer of the Board of FLY, at mddelgado21@comcast.net or 303-328-1540.

About the Community Meals Program

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.