Margie Yansura, Nederland. The same things that drew many local residents to our community – the natural beauty and serenity of the Rocky Mountains – also draws thousands of visitors every year to our community.

Some of our visitors, unfortunately, do not have the means to live comfortably in a hotel or vacation rental during their time here, so they camp instead in the woods. It is these seasonal visitors to whom the Nederland Community Church’s Socks and Sandwiches weekly summer program reaches. This outreach and engagement program invites these seasonal visitors to the church, located at 210 N Jefferson Street, for a healthy and hearty noontime lunch, prepared by volunteers each Thursday June through August.   

In addition to the hot lunch, socks, toiletries, and other provided necessities, the participants are made aware of the many resources and programs available in Boulder, with transportation and assistance to get registered. They are also educated on how to be a responsible visitor in a mountain community. Information is shared on how to properly and safely stage and extinguish a campfire, why it is important to not keep food in a campsite which could attract wildlife, what to do if wildlife is encountered, and how to responsibly dispose of trash and waste. Each guest is provided a camping guide that the church prepared with Peak to Peak Forest Watch and other members of the Nederland Interagency Council on Homeless Encampments.

Every week a counselor from the Peak to Peak Counseling Center is present for those who are interested in speaking with a mental health professional. We also receive visits from members of the Nederland Police Department, the Nederland Fire Department, US Forest Service, Boulder County Sheriff, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife, to answer any questions from the campers. As well, we have partners from Emergency Family Assistance, Attention Homes, and the Center for People with Disabilities, to particularly serve our more vulnerable neighbors. 

Perhaps before all that, Socks and Sandwiches is mainly a place of kindness and respite. For some, we might be able to help them get transitional housing; for others, it means the world just to have someone sing them Happy Birthday. Too often, this is the only peace and welcome that these folks receive, which goes a long way in campers going the extra mile to help clean campsites or report illegal fires or direct someone in trouble to the right help. 

“No matter what, people are going to come to this and other mountain communities each summer and end up camping,” Pastor Hansen Wendlandt said. “We feel it is best to engage with these folks and work with them to make their stay as safe for themselves and the community as possible. The connections made at our weekly Socks and Sandwiches lunches are heartfelt and heartwarming. Our church is dedicated to helping those in need and this is one example of our efforts to live that mission.”

Those volunteering each week for Socks and Sandwiches include members of NCPC, St Rita’s Catholic Church, as well as representatives from the Nederland Food Pantry and many other members of the community who just want to help. Thank also goes out to the Mountain Forum for Peace, Tebo Properties, and Bombas Socks, for generous grants. 

For more information about this and other outreach programs of the Nederland Community Presbyterian Church, visit www.nederlandcpc.org, or contact Pastor Wendlandt at 303-258-3579 or via email at ncpcpastor@gmail.com. 

Originally published in the July 11, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear. You can buy a low resolution, downloadable pdf of this paper at https://themtnear.com/product/2019-07-11/