Meals, Nutrition and Grocery-Delivery
Definitions:
Food Banks: places where you can go to get fresh food and dry goods to make your own meals
Commodities: shelf-stable food items given to you to make your own meals
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program): an assistance program for those with qualifying low incomes that gives you money on a card to purchase food items; this program is offered through your county Department of Human Services and used to be called “food stamps”
Community Meal Sites: places you can go to sit down and have a meal; some of these are only for people 60+ and others are for anyone who is interested or in need
Delivered Meals: frozen or hot meals delivered to your door; some of these programs are for people 60+ or people with certain medical conditions
Food Banks, Community Meal Sites and SNAP
Hunger Free Colorado – 855-855-4626 – www.hungerfreecolorado.org – Food resource helpline that can give you a list of food banks and community meal sites in your area as well as which food banks will deliver to your home. Will also help you complete an application for SNAP (AKA food stamps). Call Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm.
Mile High United Way – https://unitedwaydenver.org/2-1-1/ – Call 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898-211 for food banks and other nutrition resources in your area. Call Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.
Quick Tip: In order to receive food/commodities from a food bank you will need to at least have a photo ID and proof of your address (such as a utility bill). Some places require that you bring proof of income too. Call the food bank before you arrive to see what documentation they require.
If you do not have an ID or proof of address, you can get meals at congregate/community meal sites. Call Hunger Free Colorado or Mile High United Way 211 for locations.
SNAP: Apply for SNAP online on Colorado PEAK: coloradopeak.secure.force.com/AC_Welcome. Colorado PEAK is also available as a smartphone app.
Note: SNAP recipients are also eligible for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) program which helps pay for heating/electric. Call Energy Outreach Colorado for more information: 1-866-432-8435.
Delivered Meals
Volunteers of America Meals on Wheels – 303-294-0111 – Free hot or frozen meals delivered to older adults 60+ Monday-Friday. Serves Arapahoe, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Gilpin and Jefferson counties. There may be a waitlist; donations appreciated. Call Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.
Senior Hub: Meals on Wheels – 303-426-4408 – Serves Adams County. Free hot or frozen meals delivered to older adults 60+ Monday-Friday. There may be a waitlist; donations appreciated. Will also deliver a restaurant meal Monday-Saturday for approx. $9 each. Call Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.
Project Angel Heart – 303-830-0202 – Free meals delivered to those with a current diagnosis of a severe illness (including cancer, HIV/AIDS, end-stage renal disease, congestive heart failure, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and/or other diagnosis). An application can be accessed on our website at https://www.projectangelheart.
Delivered Groceries – must be present to accept delivery; no need to tip driver
Bondadosa – 720-593-6978; bondadosa.org – Delivery service for members of the community to access healthy, fresh and affordable food. Orders can be placed online, over the phone, or via text. Bondadosa is a bilingual service, offering assistance in English and Spanish. Accepts payment by credit, debit, cash and SNAP benefits (if person is 65+ years old and has disabling condition). No minimum order, no delivery fee and no membership fee; must live within service areas around the Denver metro region.
King Soopers – 303-778-5464; homeshop.kroger.com – Grocery delivery service for the Denver metro area. Place order online with $9.95 delivery charge. Find more details here: https://www.kingsoopers.com/i/ways-to-shop/delivery . They do offer FREE pickup on orders totaling $35 or more. Restrictions may apply. They’ll also ship certain household essentials right to your home with free shipping for orders over $35.00. Get fresh meals delivered weekly.
Walmart – grocery.walmart.com – Grocery delivery service for the Denver metro area. Must place order online with $7-10 delivery charge; $30 minimum purchase; will usually bring groceries inside the house. Call Monday-Friday 7am-7pm; deliveries available 7 days/week.
Safeway – www.shop.safeway.com – Grocery delivery service for the Denver metro area; type in your zip code online to see if they deliver to your address https://www.safeway.com/shop/lp/delivery.html?state=locator. Must place order online; Deliveries made 7 days a week, 9am-10pm.
Instacart – www.instacart.com/locations – Instacart is a website where you can order groceries (including pet food) from participating stores in your area. They charge $9.99 per month for the service and $3.99 for each delivery on orders $35 or more. NOTE: They do charge, on average, an extra 10-15% on each item ordered.
Other Resources
Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) – 303-292-9900 – www.dug.org – Seasonal garden plots are available for rent to have a place to grow your fruits and vegetables. Cost is, on average $40 per year.
Denver Food Rescue – 720-675-7337 – www.denverfoodrescue.org – Rescues food that would otherwise go to waste and delivers it to partnering organizations for you to pick up for free. Call or visit their website for location information. Call Monday – Friday 8am-5pm. Email: info@denverfoodrescue.org.
Quick Tip: Depending on where you live, private chef services may be available to you. Look online to find services in your area.
Things to Consider
Churches, religious organizations, and some nonprofits have meals for their communities. They may also deliver holiday baskets of food. Call to find out more information.
Need more assistance or want to talk with someone?
- Aging & Disability Resources for the Denver Metro Area: 303-480-6700
- Aging & Disability Resources for Colorado: 1-844-265-2372
- Eldercare Locator (a national hotline for aging resources all over the US): 1-800-677-1116
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This guide is brought to you by the Denver Coordinated Workgroup. The Denver Coordinated Workgroup is made up of experts from the field of aging who are committed to creating and sharing information in order to guide people to the services they need to thrive as they grow older. Western Care Partners is proud to serve with this group of talented professionals.