Stronger Together: How Community Partnerships Help Our Clients Thrive
At Meals on Wheels of Loveland and Berthoud, we know that a nutritious meal is just one part of helping older adults and individuals with disabilities live healthy, independent lives.
Our clients often face challenges that go far beyond food insecurity. They may be living alone, navigating chronic health conditions, experiencing social isolation, struggling with transportation, or trying to access benefits and healthcare. No single organization can address all of these needs alone. That is why our community partnerships are such an important part of the support we provide.
Through our Wellness Beyond Nutrition program, our Support Coordinator works closely with community organizations to connect clients with the right resources at the right time.
Larimer County Office on Aging
Our partnership with the Larimer County Office on Aging helps clients navigate the many services available to older adults and caregivers. The Office on Aging provides aging and disability resources, benefits assistance, caregiver support, long-term care guidance, and connections to community services.
When a MOWLB client needs more comprehensive assistance with benefits, caregiving, aging-related concerns, or long-term support, Wellness Beyond Nutrition can help make that connection.
This partnership also strengthens our ability to understand the needs of the community. We collaborate with the Office on Aging on client surveys and program evaluation, helping us use both client feedback and data to continually improve our services.
Thompson Valley CARES
Health and safety concerns can sometimes emerge during a meal delivery or wellness check. Our relationship with the Thompson Valley CARES Program gives us another important resource for clients who need additional health-related support. CARES provides proactive health outreach, education, assessment, and connections to resources. When our staff or volunteers identify a concern that requires additional follow-up, Wellness Beyond Nutrition can connect the client with CARES. This type of collaboration allows us to respond early before a concern becomes an emergency.
House of Neighborly Service
Food insecurity does not always end when someone begins receiving Meals on Wheels. Some clients need additional food support, particularly when meals must stretch across the entire day or household needs are greater than expected. Our partnership with House of Neighborly Service helps address that gap. Through this collaboration, shelf-stable food bags are delivered directly to MOWLB clients who need additional nutrition assistance.
Loveland Community Kitchen
Our partnership with Loveland Community Kitchen allows us to extend the reach of nutritious food throughout our community. Meals on Wheels of Loveland provides scratch-cooked meals prepared in our kitchen to Community Kitchen, which serves individuals who are able to access meals in a congregate setting. Community Kitchen serves the same meal as Meals on Wheels, one day later. This shared approach allows us to make the most of ingredients and prepared food, minimize food waste, and operate a more efficient, sustainable kitchen. The partnership allows each organization to focus on the populations it is best equipped to serve while maximizing shared resources and reducing duplication.
These are just a few of the organizations that help strengthen our work. We also maintain relationships with healthcare providers, behavioral health organizations, transportation agencies, veterans' services, and other community organizations.
Each organization brings different expertise, but together we create a stronger network of support.