Longs Peak Rotary is requesting a Governor Grant (December 1, 2020 cycle if funds available) to support one of its long term service projects. Community Corner Café's (C3) aim is to bring all facets of the Estes Park community together to share a free meal and to get to know each other, where all are welcome with no questions asked. This community service is designed as a free meal service for the community and mirrors the mission of the Town of Estes Park "to provide high-quality, reliable services for the benefit of our citizens, guests and employees, while being good stewards of public resources and our natural setting." This is an all-volunteer program.
The meals are served each Friday night free of charge from October to April at facilities of Shepherd of the Mountain Lutheran Church. C3 is operated as a committee of the Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church (SMLC) under their Council and operates under the SMLC budget, however, C3 is not budgeted through the church's operating budget and is funded strictly through donations and grants. C3 itself is not a 501 (c) 3; however SMLC is. Longs Peak Rotary President-Elect is an active member of the program's leadership board. C3 is a community outreach program and not a religious activity.
Currently, C3 is in the tenth season of service and the program continues to expand. During the ninth season which started in October of 2018 and ended in April of 2019, 6,410 meals were served or an average of 212 meals per night. This included meals served in the dining room in a sit-down venue, as well as carry out meals. For the 2020-2021 service season, meals will only be provided on a drive-through pick up basis due to Covid-19 restrictions. It is anticipated that with the impact of COVID-19 on the Estes Valley tourist economy, for service worker families, and the retirement community, the need for this service will grow. C3 is supported by over twenty community volunteer groups (LPR has regularly volunteered since at least 2015) and over 30 community volunteers helping each week with the preparation and service of meals for over 200 people.
The installation of a commercial oven will provide a needed upgrade in capital equipment allowing for a faster and larger cooking space for preparing large quantities of food. While the program has some funds toward the installation, the challenges of COVID-19 keep the program from committing the dollars in case they are needed for food resources during this program season. The estimated expense of installation, including an electrical upgrade is $5000. A Governors Grant will allow LPR to contribute some financial support for these needed upgrades. Anticipated timeline for completion of this project: approximately October 2021 (2021-2022 service season)
Electrical Connections $1000.00
Cabinet, Plumbing, Installation, etc. $1000.00
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