Don’t forget that we’re meeting for coffee tomorrow! 12.5.2025

It's so nice to see a fresh helping of winter wonder in Colorado. The snow makes it feel like the holidays.

For me it is both a time of joy and a time of stress. If that sounds like you, then I've included information that can help.

Jackie did all of the research to put it together.

FOOD BANK 

This is the season to help our food banks with donations when our community is suffering due to being laid off, health issues, or struggling to find work.  I had coffee with a friend of mine last week.  She went to Costco and purchased $150 worth of food to donate to a local food bank.  She said this act of kindness filled her heart with joy that she could do something, those joyful feelings last a long time.  

As mentioned on 9 News, Kyle Clark said that the larger food banks can take the money and purchase food at a greater discount to get the food and other items they need.  

Feed Colorado also distributes funding down to other food banks, so we’re not just helping one.  If you are in a situation to give, please consider giving.  

Even though SNAP recipients should be receiving their benefits soon (hopefully); please keep in mind the many Federal works, contractors and other may still be struggling.  Thank you.  

-Jackie

Feed Colorado  

https://arcfeedcolorado.com/

9News Share Food Drive 

https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/outreach/9-cares-colorado-shares/donate-9cares-colorado-shares-food-drive/73-c4f3b09c-c226-4b71-8a85-3950ba432fea

Indivisible Colorado Action Network  

https://www.coloradogives.org/team/IndivisibleCO

Community Table

4600 W. 60th Ave., Arvada

Phone: 303-424-6685

https://cotable.org/

Closed Monday’s

Wednesday: 12:00 - 5:45 pm

Tuesday and Friday: 12:00 - 3:45 pm

Thursday: 10:00 am- 3:45 pm

Assistance Programs: Tuesday-Friday, noon - 4:00 pm

Food and Donation Drop off: Tuesday-Friday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Jeffco Action Center

8755 W. 14th Avenue, Lakewood

https://www.theactioncenter.org/food-distribution-nutrition

Closed Wednesdays and Weekends.

Open: Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Friday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Appointments are needed to get assistance for food, same day & assistance form

Food Market Hours: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:00 am -11:30 am & 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Clothing Market: No appointments needed, twice a month visits - no ID needed

Donations: Food, clothing, shoes, personal hygiene, and lines 

Growing Home

3489 W. 72nd Aven. # 112, Westminster

https://growinghome.org/

Open: Tuesday, Wednesday’s & Friday’s

No appointments needed, bring your own shopping bags

Besides food they offer other resources

ID’s are required - immigrants are welcomed here

Friday Seniors (60+) don’t wait in line, advised that you skip Friday’s

Unhoused participants may pick up their to-go bag once per week

Special Assistance: https://growinghome.org/contact/

Donations Accepted: Monday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm, Tuesday, Wed., & Friday 8:30 am - 9:30 am, Thursday 8:30 am - noon

Fish of Westminster

3990 W. 74th Avenue, Westminster

303-429-1569

https://fishofwestminster.org/

Hours: Mon, Weds & Thurs 2:45 pm - 3:15 pm, Tues 5:30 - 6 pm

Donations: https://fishofwestminster.org/donate/

Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church

10785 Melody Dr.

Northglenn, CO

https://thegoodshepherd.org/our-food-bank

Food Pantry Hours:   Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 9:00 am to 11:30 am, and the Third Saturday of each month from 9 am - 11:30 am 

Community Food Share

650 South Taylor Avenue. Louisville

303-652-3663

https://communityfoodshare.org/

Pantry hours: Wednesday’s: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, Thursday’s: 12:00 – 6:00 pm, Friday’s: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Enroll as a Shopper: https://cfs.waitwell.us/

 2-1-1 Food Assistance

https://www.211colorado.org/

CLOTHING - JEFFCO ACTION CENTER

This is also a good time to check your closets to see if you have any coats, gloves or hats that you can donate.  The Jeffco Action Center lets people come to their location to get clothing at no cost to them.  

theactioncenter.org

Xcel Energy Assistance Program

https://www.theactioncenter.org/xcel-energy-assistance

Every Wednesday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

CHRISTMAS IDEAS & TIPS

If you’re feeling the pain of inflation, hopefully this section will help. Every year I make a homemade item for my family.  It sounds hokey, but they are gifts made from the heart and it’s something everyone can use.  

• Get new bed pillows (about $5) and make a Christmas pillowcase specifically for each child/person. Sizes and instructions can be found online.

• Share your baked goods as a gift and pack in a decorative tin or box.  Everyone loves homemade cookies or candies.

• Ask what they want for Christmas.  A gift they want and will use, is perfect.

• Instead of buying something, as a family spend the day volunteering at a food bank, a mission or other community event. Then grab a pizza to chat about your experience.

• Support our small businesses with a gift card or special find.  

• Support a ceramic small business and for a minimal fee you can paint an item and they’ll glaze for you and pick up a few days later.  

• Mark your calendar and spend the evening at any local Christmas Tree Lighting.  And while you’re our and about, think about handing out the Red Cards.

  • Westminster, Russel Park Honoring Firefighters (72900 Bradburn Ave.), Dec. 5th, 6:30-8:30 pm)

• Westminster City Hall, Dec. 6th 5:30-pm, small vendors, food vendors and Santa

• Golden, has a great holiday lights display along Clear Creek. https://www.visitgolden.com/olde-golden-holidays/event-calendar/holiday-lights/

• Golden’s Candlelight Walk, Dec. 5th, bundle up and walk down Washington Street (and 15th) and sing Christmas carols. The walk begins a 6:30 pm.  https://www.visitgolden.com/olde-golden-holidays/candlelightwalk/ 

• Go to local Craft Fair to find fun and unique gifts.

  • Fine Art Market https://arvadacenter.org/events/fine-art-market

  • Holiday Pop Up Market - Dec. 6th, 13th & 20th, Olde Town Arvada

  • Arvada School Craft Fair - traditional craft fair and proceeds go to the music program

  • Apex Craft Fair

  • Colorado Christmas Bazaar (weekends only) https://coloradomarkets.com/events/colorado-christmas-bazaar/

  • Holiday Art Market, Nov. 22-Dec. 29th, Foothills Art Center, Astor House, 1133 Arapahoe Street, Golden.  Over 3,000 unique items. https://foothillsartcenter.org/

Enjoy any of the suggestions above to spend time with friends or family.  Getting out and escaping the political drama is necessary for yourself and your loved ones.  Make sure you take time to enjoy and embrace our precious time. 

FUN FACTS:  Do you know why such items as fruit and nuts were put in Christmas stockings? During the Great Depression, oranges and nuts were affordable and/or luxury during the winter, therefore making such items a special treat.

First Aid Training

The Red Cross

City of Westminster Monthly Training ($65)

WINTER PREPARATION

Are you ready for the winter season?  Please considering going to Ready.gov to prepare for the winter season.  This site has great tips for preparedness for a disaster or winter snow storm.  If you’re traveling, what to have in your car that could be prudent to your survival on a cold day or night.

Tis that time of year where we will be attending holiday events, many December birthday celebrations, Christmas programs and the dinners. And yes even December protests.  Please be mindful of your safety as you travel about.

https://www.codot.gov/travel/winter-driving/tires

HELP WANTED

COMMUNICATIONS ACTION TEAM - this robust team has a lot going on and there are plenty of opportunities to get involved.  Dave has done a great job managing the group, but our goal is to help with the work.  

• Newsletter - We have some opportunities if you like writing to help with our Newsletter.

• Social Media - OMG we have/had a great team doing this work, but I’m hoping that we can get some backup to help support them.  Dave and Eve are looking at some other platforms that will help streamline the task.  And Braiden is almost a one man show who has been instrumental in our work.

• Website - In February we will be approaching our one year anniversary.  This would be a great time for someone with website experience to help update.

• Video - We have a brand new video camera and if this is an area of interest - join this group.  We will train you.

• On-line Store - we need help making this happen.  We have t-shirts, mugs and caps so far.  It would be nice to have a set-up for this on-line ordering process to help with our fundraising drive.  

SAFETY MARSHAL - this is role to help focus on the safety of the group/protesters at protests or other events.  You would probably only be needed from 2-4 hours at any event.  We’ve networked with Louisville, Boulder, Lakewood and other groups, but there is still a need for this position.  We will make sure you have the appropriate training and earn your cool orange vest.  The training sets you up for success in how to manage situations, de-escalation and role playing.  Just having a Safety Marshal present helps bad actors to thing twice when approaching our non-violent protestors.  You’ll meet some great folks who will be thankful that you’re there.

ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE TAKER - We meet Thursday’s from 6-7 pm, and we have the need to put our discussions briefly noted for others to review if our member(s) were to miss the meeting.  

MENTAL HEALTH

Congratulations you’ve made it throw the holiday.  And I hope that your Thanksgiving was full of love and laughter because that’s key to good health.  Laughter provides numerous mental health benefits such as stress reduction, improved mood and resilience - and who knew it enhances our cognitive functions like creativity and memory. So laugh it up.

Here are some fun ideas to bring on good mental health into your life:

• Watch a funny movie, your favorite sitcom or comedy show.  I can highly recommend “It’s Complicated”.

• Spend time with people that make you laugh and brings you joy.  Even if they’re not funny, but make you happy to be around.  Priceless.

• Many of you may not admit it - but laugh at yourself.  Even if its only you in the room!

• Try something new like Laughing Yoga 

• Read a book by an author who is guaranteed to make you laugh.  A good one for sure is Dave Barry Turns 40 by Dave Barry, Here for It, by R. Erick Thomas (on Jenna Bushes Best 10 of the Year) or one that a friend might suggest.

• Deliberately bring in memories to the conversation that still makes you all laugh

Below is a link to the Mayo Clinic who highly recommends laughter!

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress-relief/art-20044456