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Ways to keep your pantry full and your kids fed amid COVID-19 outbreak

Maryland free student meals
Posted at 3:20 PM, Mar 16, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-20 11:38:14-04

DENVER -- With schools shut down, grocery stores struggling to keep shelves stocked, and Denver restaurants closing on-site seating, many may feel the options to feed their family are starting to dwindle. But despite the closures and restrictions, several options still exist.

Many of the area's school districts are distributing food to students and families during an extended spring break period. In most cases, identification or paperwork will not be required to receive food. To supplement the free meals offered by schools, food banks continue to operate.

Here are some of the ways you can keep your pantry full and your kids fed:

School district food programs:

27J Schools
Free meals will be provided to children ages 1-18 beginning Tuesday through March 20. Meals will be available to two pick-up locations via walk-up or drive-through between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. these days. Families can pick up one breakfast and one lunch. Any child can receive these free meals, regardless of what school the attend.

The pick-up locations are:
--Overland Trail Middle--North Lot, 455 North 19th Ave.
--Vikan Middle--West Lot, 879 Jessup St.

27J said the bags are intended to help the most impacted families. The limit is one per family.

Adams 12 Five Star Schools:
Meal service begins Tuesday and will continue through March 27. Meals will be served at the following locations from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.

-- Horizon High School - 5321 E. 136th Avenue, Thornton , CO
-- Legacy High School - 2701 W. 136th Avenue, Broomfield, CO
-- Mountain Range High School - 12500 Huron Street, Westminster, CO
-- Northglenn High School - 601 W 100th Place, Northglenn, CO
-- Thornton High School - 9351 N Washington Street, Thornton, CO

All families will receive lunch for the day and breakfast for the next. These meals will be available for all children ages 1 through 18 regardless of what school they attend. No paperwork is required.

Adams 14 School District
Beginning Tuesday, the district will distribute school lunch and breakfast takeaway meals at two locations: Kearney Middle School (6160 Kearney Street,
Commerce City) and Adams City Middle School (4451 E. 72nd Avenue, Commerce City). This will take place on all weekdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through March 27. Each pick-up includes a lunch and breakfast for children 18 years old and younger.

Parents can pickup the meals at either location, but the district recommends these locations:
--Adams City Middle School: Adams City High School, Adams City Middle School, Alsup Elementary School, Dupont Elementary School, Monaco Elementary School
--Kearney Middle School: Lester Arnold High School, Kearney Middle School, Central Elementary School, Hanson Elementary School, Kemp Elementary School, Rose Hill Elementary School, Sanville Preschool, STARS Early Learning Center

Aurora Public Schools:
Aurora Public Schools will be distributing free breakfast and lunch starting Tuesday through Friday, and then again next week Monday through Friday at 15 locations to kids 18 and under. Both meals, which include vegetarian options, will be available together for pickup through a grab-and-go system, APS says. Here's a map of the meal distribution sites in Aurora.

Boulder Valley School District
The district will begin distributing bags of food containing several meals’ worth of shelf-stable foods along with fresh produce at nine regional sites beginning Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., at these locations:

-- Crestview Elementary School
-- Columbine Elementary School
-- Emerald Elementary School
-- Louisville Middle School
-- Nederland High School
-- Pioneer Elementary School
-- Sanchez Elementary School
-- University Hill Elementary School

Identification or paperwork will not be required to receive food. Location addresses and additional information can be found here.

Cherry Creek School District:
The district will provide free Breakfast, Lunch and a Book for all kids 18 and under starting Friday, March 20 at the following locations:

Student Nutrition Center
14270 E. Briarwood Ave., Centennial, CO 80112
11:00 am – 1:00 pm M-F

Christ Community Church
8085 E. Hampden Ave., Denver, CO 80231
11:00 am – 12:00 pm M-F

Holly Ridge Elementary
3301 South Monaco Parkway, Denver, CO 80222
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm M-F

Highline Elementary
11000 East Exposition Avenue, Aurora, CO 80012
11:00 am – 12:00 pm M-F

Glendale Sports YMCA
4500 E. Kentucky Ave., Glendale, CO 80246
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm M-F

Eastridge Elementary
11777 East Wesley Ave., Aurora, CO 80014
11:00 am – 12:00 pm M-F

Ponderosa Elementary
1885 South Lima Street, Aurora, CO 80012
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm M-F

Meadow Point Elementary
17901 East Grand Avenue, Aurora, CO 80015
11:00 am – 12:00 pm M-F

Canyon Creek Elementary
6070 South Versailles Parkway, Aurora, CO 80015
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm M-F

Independence Elementary
4700 South Memphis Street, Aurora, CO 80015
11:00 am – 12:00 pm M-F

Sunrise Elementary
4050 South Genoa Way, Aurora, CO 80013
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm M-F

Denver Public Schools:
The district will offer free meals to students at eight locations throughout the city, using a grab-and-go style system.

Those eight locations are:

-- Abraham Lincoln High School
-- Bruce Randolph School
-- Cowell Elementary School
-- Denver Center for International Studies Baker
-- Joe Shoemaker School
-- Manual High School
-- North High School
-- Place Bridge Academy
-- STRIVE Prep - Sunnyside
-- The Montbello campus
-- The Evie Dennis campus

Douglas County School District:
The district released the following statement: "During its closure, Douglas County School District is making plans to feed students and children in our community. Lunches will likely follow our summer meal plan and contain an entree, fruit/vegetable, and milk, and be made available to any child 18 years of age and under. Lunches will be free and reimbursed to DCSD Nutrition Services from USDA. Locations and times will be determined and communicated soon."

Englewood Schools:
Englewood Schools will provide “grab and go” breakfast and lunch beginning Monday and continuing through Friday from 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. The district was unable to provide meals during the district’s already scheduled spring break (March 23-27) as food deliveries were not scheduled during that time, the district said. However, the district is working to change that, and will keep families updated.

Meals can be picked that following locations:

Cherrelyn Elementary (4500 S. Lincoln St.)
Bishop Elementary (3100 S. Elati).

Jefferson County Public Schools:
Beginning Monday and continuing through March 27, the district will distribute “Grab and Go” meals for breakfast from 8 a.m.-9 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the following school locations:

-- Arvada K-8
-- Colorow Elementary School
-- Edgewater Elementary School
-- Foothills Elementary School
-- Lasley Elementary School
-- Parr Elementary School
-- Conifer High School

All children (ages 1-18) can go to any of the above school locations, to receive a no-cost meal. The district will be serving anyone in need. Each person will be required to be present and pick up their own meal.

Littleton Public Schools:
Beginning Monday and continuing through Friday from 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., the district will be providing grab-and-go breakfast and lunch for children 18 years and younger at the following locations:

-- East Elementary: 5933 S Fairfield St
-- Field Elementary: 5402 S Sherman Way

Mapleton Public Schools:
Meals may be picked up Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the following locations:

-- Meadow Community School (9150 Monroe St, Thornton) - Pick up will be on the west side of the building.
-- Skyview Campus (8990 York St., Thornton) - Pick up will be in the parent drop off pick up loop located to the north of Academy/ Clayton building.
-- Welby Community School (1200 E. 78th Ave., Denver) - Pick up will be in the bus loop beginning on the north side of the building.
-- York International School (9200 York St., Thornton) - Pick up will be in the bus loop
-- Global Primary Academy (7480 N. Broadway, Denver) - Pick up will be in the bus loop by GPA

Summit County School District:
--Starting Wednesday, March 18, Dillon Valley Elementary School and Summit High School will be giving away breakfast and lunch for students every day while school is out from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Westminster Public Schools
The district is offering grab-and-go food at four locations from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

-- Westminster High School
-- Scott Carpenter Middle School
-- Ranum Middle School
-- Shaw Heights Middle School

Food Bank Information:

Christ's Body Ministry
303-860-1272
850 Lincoln Street, Denver. Breakfast from 10am to 11:15am. Lunch from 11:45am to 1:00PM.

Church of All Souls
303-789-0007
4950 S. Logan St., Englewood. The All Souls Food Bank provides basic staples to individuals and families in need in the local community. The Food Bank is located at 520 East Grand Avenue, at the corner of Grand Ave. and Pennsylvania St., and is open from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Food Bank serves the community within the following boundaries:
North - Cornell Avenue
South - Arapahoe Road
East - University Boulevard
West - Federal Boulevard (up to and including 3000 west only)

CitySquare
303.783.3777
2575 S. Broadway, Denver. Tuesday 10-6. Other programs include locker program, individual resource assistance, computer lab, mail services, access to Stout Street Clinic physical/mental health services, Denver Human Services benefits assistance, DenverWorks employment assistance, assistance with CO ID and birth certificates and access to OneHome vulnerability assessment for housing assistance.

Youth Only Food Pantry is on Mondays from 3-5:30pm.

Community Ministry of Southwest Denver
303-935-3428
1755 S. Zuni, Denver. The food pantry is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Tuesday from 2-4:30 p.m. You must arrive 30 minutes prior to closing to receive services.

Community Ministry has a self shopping food pantry so that clients can choose their own food within certain guidelines. The amount of food they may choose is designed to be a week's worth of groceries varying in size based on the number of people living in the household.

Cornerstone Food Bank/Englewood Bible Church
303-762-1663
3091 S. Grant St., Englewood. Englewood Bible Church, 3091 S. Grant St., Englewood. Use the entrance off the parking lot on the east side of the church, at the northwest corner of Logan & Eastman. Tuesday afternoons from 1 to 3 PM; and Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30 PM (for the disabled and working parents only, clients must show a current paycheck stub). Clients are welcome to come once each week on either Monday (if they qualify) or on Tuesday, but not on both days. - Cornerstone Food Bank does not have residency requirements for clients to receive food and no documents are needed, but clients are asked to provide birth dates for all members of the household at the time of their first visit.

The Covenant Cupboard
720-841-5400
5400 W. Yosemite, Englewood. For Arapahoe County residents only - Covenant Cupboard Food Pantry is open to clients every Friday 1-4 p.m. except the Friday following Thanksgiving. We are also closed on major holidays that fall on Friday. In case of a extreme weather, watch Denver channels 9 or 20 for possible closure information. The pantry is wheelchair accessible and assistance is available to help differently-able visitors. Volunteers are typically available to provide Spanish and Russian language assistance. Clients must bring their own bags.

Crossroads of the Rockies
303-922-8772
2707 W. Mississippi Ave., Denver. Tuesday and Thursday 9:00-11:15am Saturdays 9:00-9:30am. Food bank, clothing bank, must be present between 9 and 9:30 to register for a place in line and must have picture ID & another document showing proof of address. Serving residents of all counties.

Denver Rescue Mission
303-297-1815
6100 Smith Road, Denver 80216Emergency services such as food, shelter, showers, laundry, and health services. Also offer rehabilitation and transitional services.

Food Bank of the Rockies
The Food Bank of the Rockies is expecting food insecurity to increase over the next several weeks, as many restaurant and bar employees could be out of work. That also means the food bank will need more help from volunteers. Because of precautions taking place, the food bank has had several volunteer cancellations.

Anyone who is healthy and interested in volunteering can sign up here. Read more about how Food Bank of the Rockies is dealing with the coronavirus situation.

"We have no plans to cease food distribution at this time and we are working to establish operational plans, taking into consideration the safety of our staff, volunteers, partners and clients, in the event of a significant local Coronavirus outbreak. In doing so, we are presuming an increased number of people may need food assistance. It’s also possible less help will be available to them if some partner programs need to close. We are forming plans in Colorado and Wyoming to expand partnerships with larger agencies able to potentially serve increased numbers of clients during this time, possibly via different distribution models (such as drive-through) to increase social distancing to protect volunteers, staff and clients during food distribution. We will be sharing specifics of those systems with you soon. In the meantime, please contact us to discuss how your food pantry can help."

Grace Point Community Church
303-798-6387
90 East Orchard Road, Littleton. The Food Bank is open the first and third Fridays of each month from 4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. There is a Kids’ Club (Kidzooka) that meets during the Food Bank hours so the children can participate in an creative activity while waiting for their parents to pick up their food.

HOPE - Helping Our People Excel
303-762-7986
3940 S Broadway, Englewood. Food Pantry - Monday and Friday 11-2.

Hunger Free Colorado - Food Resource Hotline
720-382-2920

Integrated Family Community Services
303-789-0501
3370 S. Irving St., Englewood. Serves families and seniors in western Arapahoe, northern Douglas and southeastern JeffCo - food bank, clothing, rental and mortgage assistance, utilities assistance, prescription assistance, bus tokens, holiday baskets, birth certificates, prescription medical assistance, victim assistance, recreation passes, case management. Must provide current proof of address, proof of income, current photo ID at every visit.

Homeless families who cannot provide proof of an address within the service area or anyone living outside of the service area is encouraged to call. IFCS will provide resources at least once to anyone, and with a phone call ahead of time, they may be able to assist with documentation or further assistance.

Littleton Church of Christ
303-741-0265
6495 S Colorado Blvd, Centennial. Food bank opens August 13, 2018, and is open every other Monday from 3:00-6:00pm through the end of June. Closed the entire month of July.

Cherry Hills Community Church - Manna Care
303-791-4100
3900 Grace Blvd., Highlands Ranch. Provides food, clothing, shelter and resources for families in Douglas and surrounding counties. We also provide haircuts, toiletries, and a dinner on the first Tuesday of every month. As we learn about specific needs, our mission is to connect each family with their desired tangible, relational and spiritual support.

First time guests are welcome to come to Manna at any time and we will explore how we can best meet your needs. We will ask for an application to be filled out for our records.

Manna meets on Tuesday Mornings from 10a – 12p and the first, third and fifth Tuesday evenings of each month from 6:00 – 7:30p.

Mosaic Church
303-789-4322
4101 S. Lincoln St., Englewood. Food bank open on Thursdays from 9:00-noon; closed first Thursday of every month.

Salvation Army - Centennial Corps Family Services Center
303-779-9662
3900 E. Arapahoe Rd., Centennial. Food Pantry - Tuesdays from 5:30-7:00pm and Thursday from 9:00-11:30am. Bring ID for every member of the household and a current piece of mail. Families may visit once every 30 days. Additional services include: rent, utilities, prescriptions and ID - call Resource Line for information - 303.295.3366.

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Parish
303-744-6119
2375 E Arizona Ave, Denver. Food is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 - 4:00 (closed from noon - 1:00) to anyone who goes to the door. All food is non-perishable.

The Well at Wellspring Anglican Church
303-789-2878
4300 S. Lincoln St., Englewood. Hours: Sun. 12-1 p.m.