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Summit County guide to holiday volunteer and donation opportunities

The Summit County Rotary Club holds a free weekly community dinner at the Summit County Elks Club in Silverthorne. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Summit Daily file photo |

With the Christmas holiday and the end of the year nearly here, there are plenty of ways to keep busy and bring 2014 to a satisfying close. Whether you need a little extra help this holiday season, or are in a position where you can lend a helping hand to others, there’s something available in Summit County for you.

FOOD BANKS



Many local food banks have holiday hours, and may be closed during times that they are normally open, both this week and next. Donations continue to be accepted and are always appreciated.



FIRC Food Bank

Holiday pickup hours: Tuesday, Dec. 23, 12:30–2:30 p.m. Closed Thursday.

Holiday drop-off hours: Tuesday, Dec. 23 and Wednesday, Dec. 24 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Thursday, Dec. 25, Friday Dec. 26 and Thursday, Jan. 1

Location: 251 W. 4th St., Silverthorne

Contact: Call the main office at (970) 262-3888 or visit http://www.summitfirc.org

Any type of food item is accepted, particularly nonperishable items like pasta, pasta sauce and canned fruit.

Church of Christ Food Bank

Holiday hours for donations and pickups: Tuesday, Dec. 23, 3–5 p.m. Closed Wednesday, Dec. 24.

Location: 1002 S. 7th Ave., Frisco

Contact: Call (970) 668-5072

Any type of food item is accepted, as well as toiletry items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, etc.

“Giving around the holidays is a wonderful thing, … but the reality is those people are hungry every day of the week,” said Church of Christ minister Stan Johnson. He encouraged people to give not only during the holidays, but during other times of the year as well. “Grab hold of the feeling you have at Christmas, and do the best you can the week after, and just don’t forget about them.”

Dillon Community Church Food Bank

Holiday pickup hours: Monday, Dec. 29, 4:30–5:30 p.m. and Friday, Jan. 2, 1:30–2:30 p.m. Closed Wednesday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 26.

Holiday drop-off hours: Any time during normal church hours, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed on Fridays.

Location: 371 E. La Bonte St., Dillon

Contact: Jude Mitchell at (970) 468-2461 or visit the church

Nonperishable food, toiletry items and cleaning items are all accepted.

“This year, our demand on the food bank is a record, it’s a record year. It’s been getting more and more each year, so it’s almost like each year is a record,” said food bank director Mike Kermode. “The thing that keeps this food bank going is 100 percent donations.”

While food donations are always accepted, Kermode said that cash donations are a good option as well, since the food bank gets a discount for food purchases. Those interested in making a cash donation can stop by the church, or mail a check, with “Food Bank” written in the memo, to:

Dillon Community Church

P.O. Box 1979

Dillon, CO 80435

Father Dyer United Methodist Church Food Bank

Holiday pickup and drop-off hours: Tuesday, Dec. 23 and Tuesday, Dec. 30, 10 a.m. to noon. Closed Thursday, Dec. 25 and Thursday, Jan. 1.

Location: 310 Wellington Road, Breckenridge

Contact: Call (970) 453-2250 or visit the church.

Nonperishable food items accepted.

FREE DINNER

Every week, there are multiple opportunities to eat for free in Summit County. This is also true during the holidays, so come out and share a dish or two with your neighbors.

Rotary Club and Elks Lodge in Silverthorne

Date: Every Tuesday, including Dec. 23

Time: 5:30–7 p.m.

Location: Elks Lodge, 1321 Blue River Parkway, Silverthorne

Each week, a different group volunteers to cook and serve at the community dinner. This Tuesday, around 20 volunteers from Breckenridge Mountain Rotary will donate their time.

“Everybody’s excited to take part in the great environment and festive atmosphere of the community dinner,” said Breckenridge Mountain Rotary president Todd Barson.

Barson said that he’s volunteered at the community dinner before, though not over the holidays. Anyone is encouraged to come to the dinner, regardless of income or need.

“It’s focused on a shared community spirit, for those that are in need and those that just want to take part. It’s a really neat program,” he said. “Once you’re in the midst of it, it creates its own energy of community spirit, where everybody feeds off one another in more ways than one.”

Father Dyer United Methodist Church in Breckenridge

Date: Every Sunday

Time: 6–7 p.m.

Location: 310 Wellington Road, Breckenridge

Contact: (970) 453-2250

St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Breckenridge

Date: Every Tuesday

Time: 6–7 p.m.

Location: 100 N. French St., Breckenridge

Contact: (970) 453-4262

The church’s online calendar shows the community dinner is still scheduled for Tuesday, though the church couldn’t be reached for confirmation at the time of this article. It’s recommended those interested in the dinner call the church to confirm.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Salvation Army Bell Ringing

Those who are interested in ringing the bell for the Salvation Army in front of the City Market in Dillon have two more chances to do so this holiday season. According to the Family & Intercultural Resource Center, there are two shifts available on Wednesday, Dec. 24, one from 3–5 p.m. and one from 5–7 p.m. To sign up, call the FIRC at (970) 262-3888.

Shovel for Summit seniors

Valerie Greenhagen, senior services program manager at the Summit County Community and Senior Center, is the hub of communication between seniors needing help with their snowy driveways, and Summit County residents and shovel owners willing to lend a hand.

Those who have shovels and want to help out a local senior in need should call Greenhagen at (970) 668-2941. They will then be put on a list, and contacted if there is someone in their vicinity needing shoveling help.

DONATIONS

Summit County has a multitude of nonprofit organizations that cover a range of causes. There’s still time to make a tax deductible donation to the 501(c)3 organization of your choice for 2014.


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