Longmont Meals on Wheels delivers hot, healthy meals to older adults and people with disabilities in Longmont and Niwot. Each year, around the holidays, they deliver a special gift as well. This year they are aiming to give two handmade washcloths to their clients but they need help from the community.
Each year Longmont Meals on Wheels looks for items that are practical and can be made personal to give to their clients. Some years they ask for store-bought donations and in others handmade items.
“We always find that our supporters like to make something for our participants,” said Katie Wiser, development and communications director for Longmont Meals on Wheels.
This year the nonprofit decided to ask for donations of homemade washcloths. Its goal is to gather 500 pairs of washcloths so each client receives two. Longmont Meals on Wheels is looking for washcloths that would be used for the face and body.
Wiser said that for some of Longmont Meals on Wheels’ clients, these items may be their only gift this holiday season.
“For a homebound, older adult, they might not have many people in their lives. This, for some people, could be the only gift they receive … Most of our participants live alone, far from family or have outlived their family,” Wiser said.
Handmade washcloths can be sewn, crocheted or knitted, Wiser said there isn’t a requirement other than the materials used be safe and soft enough to use on a person’s face and body at any standard size.
For those who feel the task of making a washcloth is intimidating, Wiser suggested buying homemade washcloths online or buying washcloths from the store and having them embroidered to add a personal touch.
The community can drop their washcloth donations at the Longmont Meals on Wheels dropbox that is located on the west side of the Longmont Senior Center, 910 Longs Peak Ave. Donations can also be mailed, Wiser said.
