On Friday, volunteers began showing up at the Nederland Food Pantry early in the morning. By noon, the multi-purpose room at the Nederland Community Center was buzzing with activity as they prepared for the annual Holiday Food and Toy Distribution event.

Every year before Thanksgiving and Christmas, the pantry prepares holiday food items for anyone along the Peak to Peak needing a little help in the form of food, and especially those items for favorite and traditional holiday meals. For December, the food pantry and Emergency Financial Assistance Association (EFAA) add toys to the distribution day for children under 12 and Target Gift Cards for kids 13-18.

This year the food pantry distributed over 135 boxes between the Nederland event and food sent to Ward, Jamestown, and Wondervu for their holiday boxes. The holiday box included a chicken and fixings for stuffing and mashed potatoes. Potatoes, celery, bell peppers, carrots, lettuce, bananas, honeydew melons, and more were available. Pantry staples of milk and butter could also be added to the boxes.

Kids could pick out their own new toys, or parents could pick out toys to wrap and take home. EFAA brought toys, and the food pantry purchased additional toys and gift cards using donations specifically for this event from St. Rita’s Catholic Church and the Nederland Lions Club

The clothing closet brought out coats, sweaters, and other warm items, including hats and scarves knitted and donated by Barbara Seibold.

There are holiday boxes and produce available at this Saturday’s food pantry (12/18/21) regular shop times from 10 a.m. - noon.

If you would like a holiday box delivered or to refer someone for a box, please call 720-418-0892 or email chris@nederlandfoodpantry.org.