“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” ~Mother Teresa
We believe that food is the barest minimum need to survive, and when hunger is what you live with every day, the impact is incredible to all aspects of life. We also believe that we can end hunger, and we are starting right here in Routt County.
In Routt, County, 11% of our neighbors live in poverty. That means, over 2,600 neighbors in Routt County could go to bed hungry tonight.
One of LiftUp’s biggest priorities is ending hunger here in Routt County. We focus the majority of our time, energy, and resources finding and serving these neighbors.
Financial Assistance Application
*Application must be delivered in person at the Steamboat Food Bank.
In 2018, we served 109,398 pounds of grocery items, 2,879 meals, welcomed over 17,000 shopping trips in our Food Banks, and 13,802 snacks to children.
We strive to serve healthy, quality food to our neighbors. The vast majority of that food is donated from generous neighbors, and we constructed our Schott Community Farm hoop house in 2018 to grow our own delicious produce.
How could our Food Banks help you? Take a look at the qualifying guidelines and if this could be an option, fill out the Initial Application and stop in to talk to a Case Manager.
As part of ending hunger in our community, we engage all of our resources in many
other ways:
- Grocery & Restaurant Rescue: local stores & restaurants generously donate food that is close to expiration.
- Greenhouse: we believe wholeheartedly everyone deserves fresh, healthy food … so we are growing it ourselves! In 2018, we built our first greenhouse and we fully expect it to provide our neighbors with fresh produce!
- Community Meals: we work with several organizations to serve meals to our neighbors.
- Sustainability studies in partnership with YVSC: In partnership with the Yampa Valley Sustainability Council we are examining our waste streams as an attempt to document our partnerships with local ranchers and farmers in an effort to minimize the flow of organic food waste to local landfills. I recently was a panelist in a discussion at CMC where local experts shared thoughts on sustainability and agriculture in the Yampa Valley, representing LiftUp.
- Organic Waste Stream Management: We work closely with local ranchers and with Elkstone Farm to turn our food waste into animal food, mushroom growth medium, and compost. We study the effects of this in partnership with YVSC.
There are so many ways that we can help each other, and we are always interested in a two-way conversation with our community. Please reach out to learn more about what we are up to, and share how we can better serve. If you would like to donate, our Food Banks accept most food and beverage donations, as long as products have not expired and packages remain unopened. If you’d like to hold a food drive for LiftUp, please contact us at 970-870-8804.
HAYDEN:
118 S. Walnut St.
W: 9a-1p | Th: 3p-5p
970-276-4214
OAK CREEK:
227 Dodge Ave.
T: 9:30am-11:30am | W: 1:00pm-3:00pm | Th: 4:30pm-6pm
970-736-1047
| Community | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| South Routt | Community Center: 227 Dodge Ave | Saturdays: 12 - 1:30pm | Jo: 970-846-6788 |
| Steamboat | Holy Name Church | 2nd Friday & Wednesday 6 - 7pm | |
| Steamboat Methodist – 8th & Oak | Jan-Apr – Thursdays 5-7pm |
“If we can conquer space, we can conquer child hunger.” ~Buzz Aldrin
Over 850 children right here in Routt County could be struggling to get enough food. In 2017, 22.5% of Routt County kids qualified for free or reduced price lunches.
We also serve 600 snacks daily to kids in Routt County. If you’re interested in donating to the Rocket Pack program, we would love to work together. To make sure kids get the best snacks possible, there are certain guidelines:
- All snacks must have 8 or less grams of sugar
- Because we distribute in groups, you must donate at least 50 of the same item so that each child in that group gets the same snack
- Each snack must be individually packaged and not expired or past best-by date.
Snacks we always love to receive:
- Apples
- Bananas
- Low sodium chips – individually packaged
- Granola bars
- Fruit snacks
- Pretzels
- Beef Jerky
Does your child, or student, need snacks?
2018 Application English
2018 Application Spanish
For more information, email: programs@liftuprc.org. If you would like to donate snacks for kids, check out our Ways to Give page.
“We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” ~ Ronald Reagan
We believe that everyone, at any given time in their lives, is on a spectrum to thrive. We all bounce back and forth on this spectrum as life happens. We would love everyone to always be thriving, but we are keenly aware that’s not possible. Life throws us curveballs … we take missteps ... Inevitably, we will all feel the wind at our face at times.
It is our honor to meet each person where they are and help them move closer to thriving.
Our primary focus is to ensure all Routt County neighbors have access to basic human needs (food, shelter, & clothing) while also fostering self-sufficiency & personal growth.
Our Case Managers work with each neighbor individually to determine the best programs for their situation. It’s private and one-on-one, and we promise you’ll feel welcome.
Our 3 Food Bank locations offer supplemental food for qualifying individuals and families. With the goal of moving towards self-sufficiency, this assistance has qualifications and time limits.
Self Sufficiency & Personal Growth
Self-Sufficiency: During times of longer-term distress, we work with families in complex situations to create a plan to get back on their feet. These are unique cases in which we forge a partnership to get you back on a path to stability. In 2018, 37 families were supported through this program.
Healthcare: With the growing costs of medical care, it has become challenging for our neighbors to afford much-need medical attention. Intended to help clients attain an acceptable or improved level of medical/dental health, and to keep health problems from turning into emergency situations. Can pay for Medical fuel and transport.
Hope for the Future Scholarship: Each year, we award 10 Routt County neighbors with an opportunity to make their future brighter. The application process ends on May 1st.
We know that your situation is yours and yours alone. So, if you have questions about whether your situation qualifies for help, please reach out. We are here to help.
Email: casemanager@liftuprc.org
Phone: 970-870-8804
“Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.” ~Helen Keller
LiftUp is the only administrator of critical government assistance programs. Our case managers will work with you to ensure you are receiving the benefits that you qualify for.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): helps supplement the diets of low-income Americans, including elderly people, by providing them with emergency food and nutrition assistance at no cost.
In 2018, we served 2,555 TEFAP boxes to Routt County neighbors.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP): Designed specifically to support the aging population, these boxes provide necessary nutrition for our senior citizens in Routt County.
In 2018, we served 324 Senior Meal boxes to Routt County neighbors.
To see if you qualify for either of these programs, please check out the initial application (link: TEFAP and CSFP application) and bring it into our Case Managers. Or feel free to email it: casemanager@liftuprc.org
We look forward to serving you!
“A penny saved is a penny earned.” ~Benjamin Franklin
Our Thrift Store is the workhorse for all that we give back to Routt County. It is one of the most heavily-trafficked retail stores in Steamboat, and we are proud of the quality of products offered:
- Clothing
- Household goods
- Art
- Sporting goods
- Linens
- Books
- Other treasures for bargain shoppers.
In 2017 we added a little “chic boutique” to the corner of our store as a means to help fund even more programs. The Elevated Emporium features higher end items for bargain prices!
ALL PROFITS from our Thrift Store sales are used to fund our operations, Food Banks, and Financial Assistance Programs.
Stop in and find your next treasure:
2125 Curve Ct | Steamboat
HOURS:
Mon-Friday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday