Donations made to Nourish Meals on Wheels through Colorado Gives Day will be enhanced by the $1.4 million Colorado Gives Day Incentive Fund. 

This Colorado Gives Day, on Dec. 6, Nourish Meals on Wheels aimed to raise $50,000. The organization raised $37,355 through 219 donors. 

“Colorado Gives announced that we will know the amount we get from the incentive fund by Dec. 31,” said community engagement coordinator Olivia Servaes.

Nourish Meals on Wheels, a nonprofit organization, uses volunteers to package and deliver meals to seniors and homebound adults throughout Arapahoe, Jefferson, and Douglas countiesand Denver. 

Every morning, the head chef cooks creative meals and kitchen volunteers package the fresh, hot meals. The volunteers will cut up or puree food for clients who have the inability to use their utensils or have dental problems. 

“We even take into account food preferences too,” said Servaes. “If you’re 90 years old and you don’t like brussel sprouts, we’re probably not going to be the ones that are going to change your mind on that, so we will put you on a list and make sure you never get brussel sprouts.” From the kitchen to the road, just under 20 people work 30 routes to deliver hot food to the front door of those who need it.

Servaes said the nonprofit organization charges $5 for a hot meal, but if someone in need is not able to pay, they still get the food.

“We will never deny anybody food based on your ability to pay,” she said. “That’s why Colorado Gives Day is so important to us because those funds will feed people who can’t afford to feed themselves.”

Besides Colorado Gives Day, Nourish Meals is also supported through other community programs. On Dec. 8 Nourish Meals on Wheels will host Twelve Days of Giving. For 12 days, volunteers give a wrapped gift to each client when they get their hot meal. These gifts come from donations.

“The community helps us so much with this giant project because we average about 500 gifts each day,” said Servaes. 

Gifts include items such as poinsettias and blankets. The blankets are made for Nourish Meals on Wheels by Arapahoe County Community Services and wrapped by students at Aspen Academy.

The community can donate monetarily using the donate today tab, bring in non-perishable food items, and so much more. Nourish Meals on Wheels, located 92 E Arapahoe Road, operates Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.