How to give, get meals, gifts over holiday seasons

As the holidays inch closer and the weather gets colder, organizations throughout Larimer County are providing opportunities for those seeking help and those willing to help.

For more information about available resources or volunteering opportunities, call United Way of Larimer County’s non-emergency line at 2-1-1 or 970-407-7066. The year-round United Way of Larimer County resource guide is available online in English and Spanish.

Holiday meals

Each meal is open to anyone in need.

•Catholic Charities is hosting a dinner noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 26 at 460 Linden Center Dr. in Fort Collins.

•Fort Collins Rescue Mission is hosting a dinner beginning at 5 p.m. Nov. 24 at 316 Jefferson St. in Fort Collins.

•Salvation Army Fort Collins is distributing vouchers for a meal 5-8 p.m. Nov. 25 at the Country Buffet at 118 W Troutman Pkwy. The vouchers can be claimed Nov. 9-23 at 3901 S. Mason St. in Fort Collins. Call 970- 207-4472 with questions.

•Associated Veterans of Loveland is hosting a dinner 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 26 at 305 N. Cleveland Ave. in Loveland. Meals can be delivered to homebound individuals, but a request must be made 9 a.m. and 6 p.m Nov. 16- 25 by calling 970-663-2374.

•Mountain Bible Fellowship Estes Park is hosting a dinner 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 26 from at 1575 Saint Vrain Ave. in Estes Park.

•Fort Collins Rescue Mission is hosting a holiday meal beginning at 5 p.m. Dec. 22 at 316 Jefferson St. in Fort Collins.

•The House of Neighborly Service Loveland is providing holiday food baskets with unprepared items for low-income families and seniors. To claim one, sign up 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Monday through Thursday by Dec. 17 at 1511 E. 11th St. in Loveland. For more information, call 970-667-4939.

•Associated Veterans of Loveland is hosting a Christmas dinner 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Dec. 25 at 305 N. Cleveland Ave. in Loveland. Meals can be delivered to homebound individuals, but a request must be made by Dec. 23 by calling (970) 663-2374.

Holiday gifts

•Gift of a Green Christmas through Northern Colorado Shares provides a real Christmas tree and accessories (or an artificial tree, for those with allergies) to low-income families. Sign up before Nov. 20 by calling 2-1-1 or 970-407-7066. The trees will be delivered Dec. 5.

•Bright Christmas though Crossroads Ministry of Estes Park assists families with children living in Estes Park. To register, visit 851 Dry Gulch Road at 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays before Dec. 11

•Santa Cops of Larimer County deliver gifts to applicants. To apply, you must be a resident of Larimer County and parents must bring a photo ID, proof of address, birth certificates for each child and gift ideas for each child (less than $20).

To apply in Fort Collins, visit 2221 S. Timberline Road from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 7, 10 or 14.

To apply in Loveland, visit 810 E. 10th St. from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 7, 12 or 14.

•The Christmas Angel Tree Program through Salvation Army Fort Collins provides toys and clothing for children ages 12 and under. To register, each adult must bring proof of address, proof of income and a photo ID, as well as Social Security cards, birth certificates and a wish list for each child. To register, visit 3901 S. Mason St. from 1:30-3:30 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. on Nov. 9-12 or 16-19. Call 970-207-4472 with questions.

•The Adopt-a-Family Program through Timberline Church matches an adopting family to a family in need. The family in need will receive gifts and a grocery store gift card to buy a Christmas meal. To register, contact a nonprofit agency or local school for a referral form before Dec. 4. Call 970-482-4387 with questions.

•Toys for Kids through Northside Aztlan Center hosts holiday programs for children. Children ages 3-5 will meet 8:30-10:45 a.m. Dec. 11 for a pancake breakfast, gifts, holiday festivities and time with Santa. Children ages 5-12 will be dropped off at the movie theater 8-10 a.m. Dec. 12 and will receive candy, popcorn, soda and presents from Santa. To apply, visit 112 Willow St. in Fort Collins before Dec. 11. Call 970-221-6729 with questions.

Holiday activities

•Several free/all-materials-provided classes will be held at Garbage Garage, 5887 S. Taft Hill Road in Fort Collins.

•Bottle Cap Art: Creating Works of Art with Plastic Caps will be held 10 a.m. – noon Nov. 13. From WRAP IT UP!, a class about creatively reusing paper to wrap gifts and reusing materials to create ornaments, will be held 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. to Dec. 5. To register for either class, call 970-498-5772 or email rwatson@larimer.org.