Coronavirus Information
We will update this page as additional actions are implemented.
Updated April 30, 2020
Beginning May 1, the drive-up food pantry will be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. It will be closed on May 29.
Updated April 29, 2020
To support the community while everyone is staying home during the COVID-19 pandemic, JFS is offering several virtual groups and classes. Learn more.
Updated April 8, 2020
Healthy volunteers are needed for our Emergency Lunchbox Express program to pack and deliver food to several housing developments in "food deserts" to serve children who cannot access school-based lunch sites. Children ages 12 and over are welcome to volunteer with an adult. Learn more and sign up here.
Updated April 6, 2020
JFS at the JCC Passover meals
We will be handing out (or home delivering) 3 days’ worth of frozen meals on both Wednesday, April 8 and Tuesday, April 14. Meals will be available for pick-up from the JCC lower parking lot, from 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The meals are kosher for Passover and provided by Culinary Masters Catering, thanks to generous donations through JEWISHcolorado.
Recipients must be previously signed up as congregate meal participants, or be willing to complete a short intake form, before receiving a meal.
In addition to individual packaged kosher cooked meals, we will have boxes of non-kosher shelf-stable items from our food pantry.
There is no cost for the meal. However, people may make a voluntary contribution (recommended amount of $2.50) toward the cost of the meal.
Updated April 3, 2020
Emergency Lunchbox Express program for youths (18 and under)
Beginning the week of April 13, we will deliver food to several locations in "food deserts" to respond to the large number of youths who cannot access existing school-based lunch sites. Families will receive USDA-compliant meals to last several days, including weekends, in order to limit contact at each site. The locations already identified include large housing projects in Denver and Westminster. These house multiple immigrant, refugee, and other vulnerable working families — all of whom have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Beginning the week of April 20, families can also pick up boxes at JFS. The schedule and locations include:
Aztec Villa Apartments, 8675 Mariposa Street, Thornton 80030, Mondays and Thursdays, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Orchard Crossing East, 4183 West 72nd Avenue, Westminster 80030, Mondays and Thursdays, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.
Orchard Crossing West, 4199 West 72nd Avenue, Westminster 80030, Mondays and Thursdays, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.
Zuni Plaza Apartments, 7595 Zuni Street, Denver 80221, Tuesdays and Fridays, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Village of Green Briar, 8290 North Federal Boulevard, Westminster 80030, Tuesdays and Fridays, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.
The Gardens of Hope, 4919 East Thrill Place, Denver 80207, Tuesdays and Fridays, 12:15 to 1:15 p.m.
Jewish Family Service, 3201 South Tamarac Drive, Denver 80231, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (beginning April 20)
Updated March 29, 2020
Boulder JFS Passover Donations - Please help our home-bound residents!
In partnership, Boulder Jewish Family Service and Boulder JCC are seeking donations for a Passover grocery bag delivery. Passover bags will be delivered to 50 community members who are isolated either at retirement communities or at home.
We understand under the new Colorado laws concerning isolation and social distancing that getting and dropping off items is becoming more challenging. We want everyone to stay safe and abide by the new recommendations. We also realize so many want to help others in our community, especially older adults who are most affected and have been in a lock-down situation for many weeks, unable to see family, friends, and loved ones. Here are some ways you can donate to the food drive for Passover and an updated list of needed items:
Things you can do:
Next time at the store pick up a few items and drop off at the Boulder JCC
Order items from your local grocery store and have them delivered to the JCC
Use an app like Instacart to order and deliver
Order online and ship directly to the JCC
Please note, items, when available, are taking 3 to 4 days for delivery.
The Boulder JCC, 6007 Oreg Avenue, Boulder, CO 80303, is available Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to take any drop-off donations, deliveries, or shipped items. Please just leave by the front door.
Items needed–please donate what you can:
30 boxes of matzah
45 boxes of macaroons
45 jars of gefilte fish
45 cans of instant chicken soup
40 oranges
50 bunches of parsley
50 small jars of horseradish
40 grape juice small boxes or bottles
50 containers of sealed Passover candies
Please contact Mary Pierce at 720.749.3403 with any questions.
Updated March 25, 2020
Emergency Financial Assistance
Our Emergency Financial Assistance Program is accelerating as the demand for this service will increase as the crisis intensifies. JFS provides limited financial assistance to those in need throughout Colorado by processing payments directly to vendors for mortgage and rent payments, utilities (water, heat, gas and electricity), prescriptions/medicine, gas vouchers, phone bills, and auto payments/insurance.
Updated March 24, 2020
Boulder JFS Passover Donation Day
Boulder Jewish Family Service and Boulder JCC are seeking donations for a Passover grocery bag delivery. Passover bags will be delivered to 50 community members who are isolated either at retirement communities or at home.
Passover Donation Day drop off is Thursday, March 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Boulder JCC, 6007 Oreg Avenue. All you need to do is DRIVE UP with your bag of donations and volunteers will be on hand to take your donation. King Soopers and Whole Foods are still the best places to find items, but they might become less available the closer we get to April. Thank you to the Boulder JCC for donating haggadot for each bag!
Please note: with the new City of Boulder lockdown, you are still allowed to make in-person donations. If you would prefer to order items online and ship directly to us, please send items by April 3:
Boulder JFS
c/o Boulder JCC
6007 Oreg Avenue
Boulder, CO 80303
Items needed; please donate what you can:
50 boxes of matzah
50 boxes of macaroons
50 jars of gefilte fish
50 cans or instant chicken soup
50 oranges
50 bunches of parsley
50 small jars of horseradish
50 grape juice boxes
50 containers of sealed Passover candies
These items are online only. Suggested websites:
50 jars of charoset – www.judaciawebstore.com
50 sealed and packaged hard boiled eggs - https://www.organicvalley.coop/products/eggs/hard-boiled-eggs/hard-boiled-eggs-2-pack/
Please contact Mary Pierce at 720.749.3403 if you can order these items.
Updated March 18, 2020
JFS at the JCC will resume meal service:
Kosher lunch service for older adults, age 60 and older, at the JCC will resume on Thursday, March 19 and be provided through Wednesday, April 1.
Meals will be individually packaged and available for pick-up from the JCC lower parking lot, Tuesday – Friday from 11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Recipients must be previously signed up as congregate meal participants, or be willing to complete a short intake form, before receiving a meal.
In addition to individual packaged kosher cooked meals, we will have boxes of non-kosher shelf-stable items from our food pantry.
There is no cost for the meal. However, people may make a voluntary contribution (recommended amount of $2.50) toward the cost of the meal.
Updated March 16, 2020
Effective Tuesday, March 17, all JFS buildings are closed to the general public, and in following appropriate guidelines, staff that can work remotely will be doing so.
The Weinberg Food Pantry will be providing pre-packed boxes of food to anyone experiencing food insecurity with no documentation or sign up needed. To limit face-to-face interactions and promote social distancing, boxes of food will be distributed through a pick-up system directly outside of the pantry. Hours of operation, Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Face-to-face mental health counseling services have been canceled. We’ll be using HIPAA-approved technology for mental health clients including school-based youths we normally serve through our KidSuccess program. JFS is also opening telehealth counseling services to any individuals in the community that may be impacted by the stress of COVID-19.
Boulder JFS office at the JCC is closed, staff is working remotely. Passover holiday services at assisted living facilities have also been canceled.
Homemakers service are suspended except in those situations where there is a critical need on the part of the client. We will continue delivering groceries for clients, picking up medications, and completing other errands to minimize their need to go out at this time.
All Disability and Employment programs at the SHALOM Denver site are suspended, and we are ensuring these clients have the resources needed during this time. Print and mail services are still operational.
In-person visits to clients by our Friendly Visitors volunteers and Para Chaplains are suspended. Instead, volunteers are reaching out to clients by telephone or FaceTime to ensure they are supported and not further isolated due to this crisis.
The Executive Luncheon is postponed. New date will be announced as soon as it is confirmed.
Updated March 13, 2020
Starting on Monday, March 16, all JFS at the JCC programs and kosher lunches are suspended until further notice.
Updated March 12, 2020
Visiting JFS:
To protect the vulnerable populations that we serve, if you feel sick, please avoid visiting JFS offices. Please call 303.597.5000 and we will assist you.
How is JFS responding:
Because of COVID-19, the demand for JFS Family Safety Net services has increased as our community responds to this virus.
We are currently:
Strategizing how to deliver food to homebound older adults.
Serving those affected with economic hardship through our Emergency Assistance Program (EAP) to offer rent and financial assistance.
Increasing our virtual contact with older adults to ensure they are supported and not further isolated due to this crisis.
Precautions include:
Increasing cleaning of the facilities in high traffic public areas.
Asking staff to clean their space such as your office and cubicle.
Using the dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand or using paper or plastic plates and utensils until health conditions improve.
Requesting that clients, staff, and volunteers stay home if they or someone in their household is ill or show symptoms of COVID-19.
Requesting that visitors and clients to JFS locations do not enter our buildings if they are ill or show symptoms of COVID-19 and that they should call instead.
Events:
As of now, we are proceeding with the 16th annual JFS Executive Luncheon on Wednesday, April 29. The health and safety of JFS donors and event attendees is our highest priority and will communicate changes immediately.
Postponed the annual Legacy Society Luncheon that was scheduled for Wednesday, March 18.
JFS at the JCC programs for older adults are suspended beginning Monday, March 16.
Updated March 6, 2020
The health and safety of Jewish Family Service staff, clients, volunteers, and visitors to our agency is our highest priority. We are actively monitoring information about the coronavirus (known as COVID-19).
The CDC recommends that everyone should practice simple daily precautions to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 60 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
For additional information and the latest updates, visit the Center for Disease Control’s website.
Download hand washing instructions in various languages:
Be a Germ Buster - Wash Your Hands
Be a Germ Buster - Wash Your Hands - Spanish
Be a Germ Buster - Wash Your Hands - Arabic
