09.06.19

Grantee Spotlight: Longmont Meals on Wheels

Grantee Spotlight: Longmont Meals on Wheels

Longmont Meals on Wheels – focused on providing hot, nutritious meals, as well as a daily wellness check to older adults and people with disabilities – now has 28 routes that cover Longmont and Niwot; this year, for the first time, the nonprofit added two new routes simultaneously.

In 1969, Longmont Meals on Wheels – a grantee of your Community Foundation – served 3,467 meals. In 2018, the organization served 122,796 meals. All told – celebrating 50 years – this ever-expanding nonprofit has served more than 2.5M meals in Longmont, Niwot, Hygiene, and Lyons.

 
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“Growth has been exceptional this year and last year,” says Katie Wiser, Development and Communications Manager. “Last year, we served almost 2,000 older adults and people with disabilities. This year, we’re averaging six new clients every week – so, at this point, we’re serving 9.5 percent more meals than last year at the same point.

 
“We have an aging population, so we’re seeing more and more seniors who are struggling financially, and who may not have anyone else consistently looking after them. We’re also seeing increases in ‘younger older’ folks whose mental health conditions make it difficult to get out of their homes on a regular basis.”
 
Indeed, Longmont Meals on Wheels – focused on providing hot, nutritious meals, as well as a daily wellness check to older adults and people with disabilities – now has 28 routes that cover Longmont and Niwot; this year, for the first time, the nonprofit added two new routes simultaneously.
 
“We also send out meals for Lyons and Hygiene at a subsidized cost,” continues Katie, noting that 72% of Longmont Meals on Wheels’ clients fall under the national poverty line. “Our goal is to help homebound people and others maintain their independence, dignity, and wellness. Beyond that, our sliding scale Senior Community Lunch Program serves more able-bodied Longmont residents 55 and older at the Longmont Senior Center.”
 
Of note, Longmont Meals on Wheels doesn’t receive state or federal funding. “We’re completely community-supported,” explains Katie, also calling out the organization’s approximately 700 volunteers who prioritize building trust with the clients they serve. 
 
“And all Meals on Wheels’ are 100 percent independent of one another, so we can really tailor our programs and services to the specific needs of our community.”
 
That said, donations are down. “We’re surprised,” Katie says. “Not only are individual donations down, but we’ve even seen a slump in business donations.”
 
As such, the organization is hoping to see a rebound in giving at its annual fundraising event: the Longest-running Christmas home tour in the state, the Gift of Home Tour marks the start of Longmont’s Christmas season. This year’s tour will feature three unique homes, adorned for the holidays by decorators and decor stores; the homes will feature decorating ideas with many items for sale. Learn more about opening night on Dec. 5, and get your general admission tickets for Dec. 6 and Dec. 7.
 
“We’re actively seeking sponsorships and volunteers,” adds Katie. Contact Katie at katie@lmow.org.