By Shannon Lukens.
They call themselves the Routt County Food Security Watchdogs. Representatives of local groups throughout the community are working to help solve food security gaps and community low-cost food options to those who need it.
This is the list of who can help, including local churches, LiftUp of Routt County, Northwest Colorado Health, Routt County Council on Aging, Meals on Wheels, Routt County Human Services, the Extension Office, and Public Health. Also, the Town of Yampa and United Way of the Yampa Valley.
Press Release from LiftUp of Routt County; Nov. 3, 2025.
Winter is Coming; Where Can I Get Free or Low-Cost Food?
By: Members of the Routt County Food Security Watchdogs
Who Are Routt County Food Security Watchdogs & What Do They Do?
Representatives from LiftUp of Routt County, Routt County Department of Human Services, United Way of the Yampa Valley, The Health Partnership, Routt County Council on Aging, Heart of Steamboat Methodist Church, Routt County Public Health, Northwest Colorado Health, Integrated Community and Yampa Valley Community Foundation come together every other month to discuss how to solve food security gaps in Routt County and work to communicate low-cost food options to our community. The Watchdogs welcome community members to help us achieve our 2025 goals targeting the reduction of food insecurity in Routt County (email director@liftuprc.org for more info). Times may be tough. Getting healthy food shouldn’t be – see if you qualify.
Where is Free or Reduced Cost Food Available this Winter in Routt County?
Below is a list of agencies that provide ways to reduce your food costs this winter:
Hayden Congregational Church, haydencongoffice.wixsite.com, 970-276-3510
Stop by to get a Blessing Box of food outside of church which is regularly stocked at 202 E. Jefferson, Hayden
Heart of Steamboat Methodist Church http://heartof steamboat.com 970-879-1290
The Heart of Steamboat United Methodist Church hosts Open Table, a community dinner, every Thursday from late September through April. The food is free and all are welcome. Dinner is served from 5 pm – 6:30 pm every week with exceptions for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
In addition, Heart of Steamboat has a Food Blessing Box that can be accessed 24/7 by anyone in need. It is filled with non-perishable, grab & go snack food. It is located at 736 Oak St. under the awning at the door closest to 7th Street.
Holy Name Catholic Church Community Dinners | Holy Name & St. Martin of Tours Catholic Parish | Steamboat, CO
Community Dinners Tuesdays 5:30-7:00 Tuesdays through December 16th in the Holy Name Enrichment Center. No dinner November 25. Dinners will resume in January 2026.
Integrated Community 970-871-4599 www.ciiccolorado.org
Integrated Community can connect and refer clients to appropriate resources and provide professional interpretation/translation services to non-English-speaking communities. They can aid with food assistance applications and more. resource@ciiccolorado.org
LiftUp of Routt County liftuprc.org 970-870-8804
Food Banks located in Steamboat Springs and Oak Creek are available to Routt County Residents with an income of 300% or lower of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Residents can shop once per month or twice per month for fresh produce. You may be surprised to learn that you qualify for free food: individual 300% FPL is $3,912.50 per month, and 300% FPL for a family of four is $8,037.50 per month.
The food in the Grab ‘N Go section in each Food Bank is available to anyone who walks in during our open hours.
There is also a Free Community Pantry food box, which is regularly stocked and available 24/7, located outside of the Oak Creek Public Library at 117 W. Main Street in Oak Creek.
LiftUp Food Bank hours are as follows:
- Steamboat: 2095 Curve Court 970-870-8804 Monday – Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., 1st & 3rd Saturday each month 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Oak Creek: 227 Dodge Ave. 970-736-1047 Tues 9:30-11:30, Thurs. 9:30-11:30
Northwest Colorado Health Northwest Colorado Health | Steamboat Springs, CO and Craig, CO 970-879-1362
WOMEN, INFANTS, AND CHILDREN (WIC)
WIC is a free nutrition program for women, children, and families. Services include nutrition counseling, and supplemental healthy foods. Qualified women receive four nutrition education appointments with a WIC educator per year. Women who participate in the sessions receive eWIC cards to buy wholesome foods. Pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5 who live in Colorado must meet certain income requirements . For more information or to see if your family qualifies, call 970-871-7653.
Sign up for WIC: WIC Family Sign Up – Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (state.co.us)
Routt County Council on Aging www.rccoaging.org 970-879-0633
Eat and Greet!
Join us at one of our three dining sites! The recommended donation for meals is $3.00 for those 60 and better. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance at 970.879.0633 Ext. 4.
Lunch is served at noon at the following locations and days.
- Steamboat Springs Community Center: M, T, Th, F
- Oak Creek Community Center: M, W, F
- Hayden @ The Haven Community Center: T, Th
Meals on Wheels
Any senior 60 years and better can receive a hot, delicious meal delivered to their door. The recommended donation for meals is $3.00 for those 60 and better. Reservations are required 1 week in advance at 970.879.0633. Frozen meals are also available.
Meals are delivered around noon on the following days.
- Steamboat Springs: M, T, Th, F
- Oak Creek: M, W, F
- Hayden: T, Th
- North Routt: Tuesday (frozen meals)
Routt County Department of Human Services www.co.routt.co.us/187/Public/Assistance/Programs 970-870-5280
Sign up for SNAP benefits! Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides supplemental assistance to help low-income individuals and families purchase food. Benefits are based on household composition, income, and the combined resources of all household members. We are located at 135 6th St in Steamboat Springs.
SNAP benefits can be used at the Steamboat Farmer’s Market, Between 5th-8th Streets on Yampa Street, June 8th-Sept 21st 9:00 am-2:00 pm
Routt County Extension http://routt.extension.colostate.edu 970-879-0825
Routt County Extension offers educational programming on nutrition, cooking on a budget, food preservation, and more. For more information, contact Katie Maloney at kmaloney@co.routt.co.us.
Routt County Public Health Public Health | Routt County, CO – Official Website 970-870-5341 Routt County Public Health, in collaboration with CSU Extension Office, offers free Cooking Matters classes for our community designed to help participants learn how to prepare healthy meals on a budget. Each session includes a nutrition education component and hands-on cooking experience in a supportive group setting. We are committed to continuing this program and look forward to sharing the dates of our next Cooking Matters session soon. Stay tuned for announcements from Routt County Public Health about upcoming sessions.
For questions or to express interest in future classes, please contact Maddy Linsacum, Public Health Educator at Routt County Public Health, at (970) 870-5341.
Stay up to date with upcoming events. Sign up for the quarterly newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/Routtextensionsignup or follow Extension on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/csuextensionofrouttcounty.
Town of Yampa 970-638-4511
The Town of Yampa has a food pantry in Town Hall, accessible 7:30 am-4:00 pm weekdays, and a Blessing Box of food available 24/7 on the north side of Town Hall, 101 Main Street, Yampa.
United Way of the Yampa Valley 970-879-5605 ext. 106 unitedwayoftheyampavalley.org
United Way of the Yampa Valley can connect and refer clients to appropriate resources and leads the holiday food gift card program in Routt and Moffat Counties. Families in need are nominated through schools, government agencies and nonprofits. If you have questions, please call UWYV at extension 107. Thanksgiving dinner is available again this year from 12:30 to 4:30 in collaboration with Lift Up, Mtn Valley Bank, and RC Council on Aging.
Tips for Stretching Your Food Dollars
- Frozen fruits and vegetables are often just as healthy as fresh and cost less.
- Plan meals, write a list of the foods that you will need and stick to the list when grocery shopping.
- Get creative with foods you already have in the house, like freezing overripe bananas to use later in banana bread or smoothies.
- Purchase foods that are sold in bulk as they can be cheaper than packaged foods.
- Use coupons, flyers and sales when you shop, and check the clearance section.
- Look at price labels to see the unit price per item and find the lowest unit price per ounce or pound when comparing the same items by different brands.
- Purchase foods that are not brand name.
- Use plant-based proteins like beans or tofu instead of meat, or use half the meat in a recipe and substitute plant-based proteins for the rest.