Broomfield FISH Prepares for Holiday Outreach Activities

By Lisa Payne

Did you know that more than 50% of the people that FISH serves in our Broomfield community are children under the age of 18? This is a statistic that Broomfield FISH, our local family resource center that provides food, emergency financial assistance, and one on one mentoring to our economically disadvantaged residents, recently shared with me.

As the holidays are upon us, let us think of these children and families who so badly want to have something as simple as a traditional Thanksgiving meal or even one gift under the tree for their kids. Luckily there are so many ways that YOU, our generous and caring Broomfield community, can help.

FISH is busy all year long helping our community, but during the holidays they especially need the support and generosity of Broomfield families and friends. Last year in November and December combined they had almost 7,000 visits to their cost-free, self-shop marketplace and gave out more than 141,000 pounds of food in November alone! During the holidays they provide clients with the experience of shopping with their kids and cooking a traditional meal together when some families otherwise could not afford to do so.

FISH provides a safety net to families going through a hard time, and with the rising cost of almost everything, every little bit you can give means the world to those in need. And 95 cents of every dollar goes directly to benefit their participants.

Here is how you can help:

(all details on www.broomfieldfish.org)

• Donate to FISH’s turkey and ham drive on Saturday, November 12.

• Host a food drive. On their website www. broomfieldfish.org you will find a Google form where you can register to host a food drive in your neighborhood, school or business.

• Monthly or one-time donations. On their website you can donate money as a one-time gift or monthly donation. The monthly donation is greatly appreciated so that FISH can plan on reliable income for their programs and budgets.

• Make a donation to Colorado Gives Day – Tuesday, December 6. This is the largest statewide day of giving, and your donations help FISH earn part of the Incentive Fund, meaning your dollars go even further!

• Join the Caring for Broomfield Together nonprofits for their Colorado Gives Day dine out night on December 6.

• Volunteer! On FISH’s website you can sign up to work in the marketplace.

• Make hot chocolate or baking kits with your kids for donation at FISH.

FISH would like to personally thank every single contributing community member for their generosity over the years, as well as all of their grocery store partners who provide weekly donations. It truly takes a village and this is the best village around!

Lisa Payne writes about home, family, and food. You can reach her at lisa@paynefam6.com.