Welcome to “Finding Folks” This is part of The Community Project: Will Work for Change campaign — a multimedia storytelling effort amplifying the voices of those experiencing homelessness in Boulder County. If you’d like to find out how to help or connect with us and our social media check out our webpage at http://www.thecommunityproject.orgTo find out how you can assist, contact us at [email protected] (www.thecommunityproject.org). The Community Project is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit.In today’s interview, Liz shares the inspiring mission of Colorado Friendship, detailing how her team provides weekly hot meals and clothing to unhoused individuals while distributing weekend food bags to local schoolchildren. From Amazon wishlists to hot meals and school partnerships, Liz paints a vivid picture of how Colorado Friendship operates and why empathy, not judgment, drives every decision they make.Key Points:• Meals on the Street serves hundreds each year with hot food and supplies.• Weekend food bags help fight childhood hunger in Longmont schools.• Volunteers have shown up every Sunday for over 27 years.• Judgment-free, compassionate service is central to Colorado Friendship’s mission.• Community partnerships and donations make their work possible.To find out more about Liz’s work, check out www.Coloradofriendship.orgWho is Colorado FriendShip?Colorado FriendShip is a 501(c)(3) mobile food and clothing nonprofit based in Longmont, CO, serving Boulder County and surrounding areas (coloradofriendship.org). Its mission is to reduce suffering and improve lives throughout the community by providing food and clothing to those in need.Key ProgramsIncrEdibles Food Program- Sends nutritious, kid-friendly weekend food bags to school children who receive free meals during the week.- In 2024, delivered over 22,100 bags to 650 children across 12 schools.Hot Meals on the Street- Weekly mobile meal service and clothing distribution for unhoused individuals.- Served around 2,775 hot meals in 2024 via a mobile trailer since 1998.Disaster Relief- Originally founded for emergency aid, Colorado FriendShip still responds to disasters statewide.- Past efforts include local disasters and larger national emergencies like Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy.Volunteer & Community Support- Primarily volunteer-operated — in 2024, volunteers logged over 6,100 hours.- Partners include King Soopers, Amazon Wish List, vehicle donation programs, and local civic groups.2024 Snapshot- Meals/Bags: 2,775 meals; 22,100 food bags- Children served: ~650- Volunteer hours: 6,152- Clothing distributed: Thousands of coats, boots, pajamas, and more- Revenue: ~$230K (donations & grants)- Expenses: ~$280K (primarily for programs)- Careful budgeting to meet growing demand and rising costsWhy It MattersColorado FriendShip fills critical gaps in food security, emergency relief, and basic necessities—especially for children, unhoused individuals, and communities affected by disaster. Its volunteer-powered, mobile model is responsive and community-centric._________________________A special thanks to our outreach sponsors! You make our outreach possible!!!!ArcThriftStores https://arcthrift.com/Eldorado Natural Spring Water: https://www.eldoradosprings.com/COLERC: https://www.colerc.org/Denver lions Club https://www.denverlions.org/Conscious Alliance: https://consciousalliance.org/Sock it to’em: https://donatesocks.org/Superteam Foods: https://superteamfoods.com/Remember, it’s better together!#StreetWisdom #MentalHealth #UnhousedVoices #OutsidersSeries #Colorado #Homelessness #TheCommunityProject #HousingCrisis #EndHomelessness #DataMatters #PolicyChange #ColoradoHousing #Unhoused #HomelessInColorado #SocialJustice #HousingIsAHumanRight #Equity