PBJ Program
The Peanut Butter and Jelly Weekend Food Program (PBJ) helps children during the school year who are at risk for hunger on weekends. Bags of food are assembled and distributed to the schools each Thursday or Friday during the school year. These reusable bags are filled with a variety of foods like peanut butter, jelly, instant oatmeal, boxes of breakfast cereal, cereal bars, applesauce cups, fruit snacks, fruit cups, granola bars, small boxed milk, Yoo-hoo, pop tarts, and other non-perishable, nutritious, individually wrapped snack foods.
In 2019 our budget capacity was 119 per week; however, we were able to serve 122, but only because of the generosity of the Craig Association of Realtors who were sponsoring the 3 extra children. Now, funds are getting dangerously low. We rely on grants, businesses, and individual donors. In the first quarter of every new year January-March, funds are always slower to come in than any other time of the year, and the funds we received for this program last fall are depleted. These children live in your community and they need your help.
Each bag costs about $4.00 to assemble, so for $16.00 to $20.00 per month you can feed a child every weekend for a school year. Please, would you join us in our fight against childhood hunger by considering a financial donation to help us continue feeding these at-risk children in our community? You can donate weekly ($4) or monthly ($16) or quarterly ($50). If 100 people would step up to sponsor a child each month we would have the funds needed to make sure the food continues to be delivered uninterrupted. If you would like to be part of this project, mark your donation “PBJ sponsor” and we will put you on the sponsor list. If you sign up to sponsor one or more children for a full year ($180.00-$200.00 per child) we’ll send you a lapel pin to celebrate that you are part of the team that makes a difference in a child’s life. Once you sign-up, you can pay your pledge monthly, quarterly or yearly. If you can’t afford to sponsor a child, a one-time gift is very helpful, too. Maybe you prefer to shop? Donated food items mentioned above are wonderful and can be dropped at the Love INC Clearinghouse office at 656 School Street. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please call us at 826-0234.
Used-Furniture Ministry
The Used-Furniture Ministry is coordinated by the Love INC Clearinghouse. Volunteers from various local churches are mobilized to help provide donated furniture to needy households in Moffat and Routt counties. If you know of a neighbor in need or would like to donate gently-used furniture that can benefit a family in need, contact the Love INC Clearinghouse. Please note, we no longer accept donations of beds, hide-a-bed or sleeper sofas because of the nation-wide bed bug epidemic. We may accept bed frames if clean and in good condition.
Cooking-on-a-Budget and Faith & Finance
If you have ever been in a situation where you have to decide between groceries and rent, this class will help stretch the food dollars you have. If you use food stamps, you know how limiting that can be for shopping. Also, our community offers several free food sources but you never know what type of food you may get. The class will offer tips on shopping and cooking and using food you get from a food pantry, TEFAP, or other food source to make meals that feed a family. Connected to this class is a budget class that will give additional ideas on how to manage money, write checks, and set up accounts at a local bank. Each of the 12 classes will start with a meal consisting of at least three courses, usually a bread, main dish, and dessert, prepared in a crock-pot. There is absolutely no cost to attend the classes and all materials are provided, including the ingredients to make the meal participants will take home, and a crock-pot to cook it in. At the end of the 12th class, participants will prepare the final recipe in the new crock-pot which they will get to take home and keep, as well as a new cook book and gift card for a meat bundle.
Food Pantry Ministry
Community members support our local food pantries by donating non-perishable items and funds to purchase fresh produce and dairy for families needing assistance. Most families receive a delivery of 1-14 days worth of food that includes meats, breads, pasta, cereal, canned goods, and as much fresh food as is available. In addition to delivering food, many families are referred to St. Michael's Kitchen for a hot meal.
The Laundry and Shower Ministry
The Laundry and Shower Ministry provides access to shower and laundry facilities for people with this need.
The Personal Needs Ministry
The Personal Needs Ministry provides cleaning supplies and personal care items to people in need.
Car Care Clinic Ministry
The Car Care Clinic Ministry is designed to provide seniors, disabled individuals, and single mothers with general vehicle maintenance a few times each year. Assistance with oil changes, repairs, and tires may be available.
Diaper Ministry
The Diaper Ministry was developed to fill in when the Yampa Valley Pregnancy Center was closed. An emergency supply of diapers and wipes are provided until the parent can access the Yampa Valley Pregnancy Center services.
Clothing for Kids (seasonal only)
Through donations from local businesses and caring individuals, children are provided with two new sets of clothing. The clothing is delivered in time for the start of the school year.
Thanksgiving Ministry
Every year volunteers come together to provide Thanksgiving dinner to the residents of Sunset Meadow I and II and home-bound individuals. It is an opportunity to share a meal and fellowship with each other. Thanksgiving food boxes are also provided to families so they can prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal for their families.
Adopting Families for Christmas
Church and community volunteers work together to make the holiday more pleasant by providing food boxes, vouchers, and Christmas gifts to families in need at Christmas.
Community Coat Drive
Love INC collects gently-used or new coats, hats, gloves and scarves to be given to anyone in need.
Back to School & PBJ Program Info
Project School Supply
Donation points are set up each year in the community for school supply donations. Volunteers deliver new backpacks filled with new school supplies in time for the start of the school year.
School Supplies for Teachers
This ministry was developed to help equip teachers and enable them to better educate their students by supplying simple classroom needs.
Household Goods Ministries
Donors from our community contribute gently-used household goods that are made available to needy families and individuals.
Firewood Ministries
Church volunteers cut, split, load (and sometimes deliver and stack) firewood for families in need in our area.
Peanut Butter & Jelly Program
Love INC works directly with the Moffat County school nurses to provide weekend food bags for at-risk children. During the week, food is provided by the Boys and Girls Club and by the schools’ free lunch programs, but on the weekends these children are left without resources. Each PBJ Program bag is packed with food that young children can easily prepare and consume without the assistance of an adult (like peanut butter, jelly and crackers). Donations of peanut butter and jelly (in plastic containers), crackers, fruit cups, pudding cups, cheese crackers, granola and cereal bars, dried fruit, and other non-perishable food in small packages are needed.
The Kroger Co. Foundation is our biggest contributor of this program.
Key Supporters
