Organizers are hoping to collect more than 5,000 pounds of food, clothes, toiletries and at least 100 bikes for the 14th year of Longmont’s Turkey Turnout.
Collection Day this year is from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday across Longmont. The program collects food for Longmont’s OUR Center, winter clothes and toiletries for HOPE Homeless Outreach and bikes for Bicycle Longmont’s Kids Holiday Bike Program.
The Longmont Turkey Turnout delivers paper grocery bags to the steps of thousands of homes across the city and residents who choose to participate can leave out donations for collection on Nov. 19. Contributions range from a few cans of vegetables to multiple bags of clothes, food and bikes.
Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and other volunteers pick up donations the Saturday before Thanksgiving. To date, the event has collected more than 67,000 pounds of food and 20,000 pounds clothing, as well as more than 500 bikes.
“The response the last two years has been amazing — despite the COVID-19 pandemic, neighbors donated more than ever for these great local nonprofits,” event organizer Scott Conlin said in a release. “There are so many people across the city who still need help. We hope the response stays strong this year.”
According to the Food Bank of the Rockies, one in eight families in Colorado are food insecure right now and require the help of food banks, like Longmont’s OUR Center. Overall need is down from the peak about a year ago, but needs for emergency food and clothing are still up 30-50% compared to pre-pandemic.
At the same time, homelessness and those experiencing housing insecurity increased 33% in Boulder County in the last year according to coordinated entry survey data.
Longmont’s HOPE is serving more individuals and seeing an increased need.
While thousands of bags were distributed across the city, everyone is welcome to participate. If a bag was left on your doorstep, simply fill it and leave it out for collection on Saturday morning.
If you did not receive a bag, you can drop off your donation by noon at the 400 E Parking lot on Kimbark Street between Fourth and Fifth Avenues or leave a bag out front and text or email organizers your address at 303-319-9882 or [email protected].
Donations can be non-perishable food, frozen turkeys, toiletries, gently worn and new clothing — especially outerwear — and kids bikes with up to 24 inch wheels. Cash or check donations can also be made to any of the three organizations instead.
