Meals on Wheels of Loveland, Berthoud collecting donations for Santa Project until Dec. 3 – Loveland Reporter-Herald

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Meals on Wheels of Loveland and Berthoud have started fundraising for their Christmas project and expect to bring the Christmas cheer to their customers in mid to late December.

Executive Director Jeff Pomranka said the program dates back several years and is designed to bring that extra Christmas cheer to Meals on Wheels customers; Parcels and marked gifts will come along with their food.

“We do it because the people we serve don’t all have much contact with many people,” he said. “Meal delivery is more than just meal delivery, it really helps people stay connected.”

With the arrival of the donations, which will be delivered later, the volunteers thought about the importance of the project and meals on wheels in general.

LOVELAND, CO – November 26, 2021: Meals on Wheels for Loveland and Berthoud CEO Jeff Pomranka browses a booth selling lump sum donations for the Santa Project at the MOW location in central Loveland on November 26, 2021. Pomranka said after all donations were picked up on December 3rd, they will be packaged and delivered in mid to late December. (Austin Fleskes / Loveland Reporter-Herald)

Longtime volunteers Carol and Zane Robbins were at the North Garfield Avenue location Friday morning to volunteer. Carol Robbins said that over the years she and her husband organized meals and donations, she and her husband have seen the appreciation on residents’ faces for not just bringing food or, in this case, gifts around to help them but also to have some human connection and someone to make sure they are fine.

“I think a lot of the people we see … have nothing,” said Zane Robbins. “Our faces and our presence are often the only contact they have outside of their home.”

“We try to offer useful things. What is really important is … the people who serve (know) the people take care of them, ”Pomranka said, adding later; “We want the people we serve to know that the community still cares for them and want them to be happy and enjoy the holidays as much as possible.”

Pomranka said they want to collect items that anyone can use, including scarves, socks, towels, and washcloths; They also accept monetary donations for anyone who prefers to donate this way.

Residents who wish to donate to the project can post items to the Meals on Wheels Loveland location, 427 N. Garfield Ave. Items will be packaged, labeled and delivered in mid to late December.

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Meals on Wheels of Loveland, Berthoud collecting donations for Santa Project until Dec. 3