Longmont Meals on Wheels is cutting back on deliveries and its door-to-door operations because Boulder County today entered Safer at Home Level Orange: High Risk on the state’s COVID dial dashboard, which further restricts gatherings and contact between people.
“This is a time when we have to make adjustments,” said Katie Wiser, Longmont Meals on Wheels spokeswoman. “But we will need to get food out to folks and we won’t stop that.”
Starting Friday, there will be no kitchen volunteers allowed in the building, according to an announcement from the nonprofit. This will cut down on any possible COVID-19 exposure while inside, Wiser said.
Normally, Meals on Wheels have at least two volunteers in the kitchen to help prepare meals. “And they are amazing,” Wiser said. “This will truly impact us.”
Because fewer volunteers are preparing meals, deliveries will only be on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Wiser said. All clients will receive two meals on Mondays and Wednesday. Clients will receive a hot meal on Fridays, and clients who receive frozen meals for the weekend will get them throughout the week.
Each driver must wear a mask and gloves when they deliver to clients and sanitize hands between each client, Wiser said. They also must hang deliveries on doorknobs, ring or knock on the door, and then step back at least 6 feet, she said.
Drivers must wear a mask and gloves when they return to pick up the meal container.
The nonprofit serves Longmont, Niwot and helps get meals to Lyons and Hygiene, Wiser said. In all, the agency serves 450 people daily.
