STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-December 10, 2024-Instead of stocking individual holiday stockings, the Steamboat Springs Police Department (SSPD) and Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue (SSFR) will be looking to fill something much larger, the shelves of LiftUp, during the next edition of Battle of the Badges.
“We all win by assisting our community and taking care of our neighbors,” commented Police Chief Mark Beckett. “The holiday season can bring added stress especially when you are fighting to hang on and we hope our combined efforts alleviate some of those fears for folks. This year, LiftUp has experienced a 20% increase in the number of food bank clients seeking assistance.”
Battles of the Badges, a friendly rivalry between the agencies, will see members of SSPD and SSFR collecting much needed items and monetary donations outside local grocery stores – Safeway, City Market & Walmart – now through the end of the month. Both departments will spend three hours a week scattered between the three stores requesting donations.
In addition to store presence, Battle of the Badges food collection bins will be available for donations at the Mountain Fire Station (2600 Pine Grove Rd), Ambulance Barn (840 Yampa St), Combined Law Enforcement Facility (2027 Shield Dr), Howelsen Ice Arena (285 Howelsen Pkwy) and Howelsen Hill Ski Area (845 Howelsen Pkwy).
If you would prefer to make a monetary donation, simply scan the Venmo QR Code. Leave a memo that designates police or fire, so your contribution will be tallied toward the appropriate agency’s overall total. Monetary donations will be directed toward LiftUp’s Housing and Utility Assistance programs, which assist residents staying in their home and paying for water and energy bills during times of financial distress. Both programs are short-term, one-time assistance based on financial need.
“More than 2,600 people in Routt County go to bed hungry on a daily basis and we’re hoping our efforts extinguish a little bit of that this holiday season,” said Fire Chief Chuck Cerasoli. “Giving is always joyous; however, giving and impacting your community spurs the spirit to a higher degree and we hope you’ll join us in these efforts!”
Requested items include canned goods (soups, vegetable, meats), rice/beans, boxed dinners (hamburger helper), bags/tins of coffee, boxed cereal/oatmeal, pancake/waffle mix, syrup/jams/jellies, peanut butter, pop-tarts/granola bar, and shelf stable juice & milk. In addition, personal items, dental hygiene, feminine products, and infant care are always in demand. Items must be packaged and not expired or past best by date.
Respecting the dignity of every person, LiftUp serves the community by providing resources and assistance to meet basic human needs and strengthen self-sufficiency. So far this year, LiftUp has distributed nearly 350,000 pounds of food, provided more than 150,000 Rocket Pack snacks or lunches, and shared more than 5,000 government food assistance boxes.
-WeServeTheCity-
Contact
Chuck Cerasoli, Fire Chief, 970.879.7170 or email
Mark Beckett, Police Chief, 970.879.4344 or email
Michael Lane, Communications Manager, 970.871.8220 or email