The Community Kitchen serves anyone who is hungry in our community. We provide food to those in our community who do not have the means, financial or otherwise, to provide a nutritious meal for themselves. We are the only community kitchen in our county open 7 days a week and with hours in the morning and evening to accommodate work hours.
The Kitchen serves over 173,000 meals each year. The people we serve are in urgent need of food and other support. Over 94% of those we serve earn less than $2,000 a month. One hundred percent of guests report that the Kitchen provides needed food and nutrition, 91% report that it provides a safe place to be during mealtimes, and 84% report that it provides a sense of community and connection with others. Over 69% of those we served reported that they skip meals to save money. Among unmet needs, guests reported the following: finding permanent housing (79%), securing employment (39%) and rental assistance (30%).
"The volunteers are so kind, thank you. Houseless people are not what most people think (the stigma and stereotype). I call [several volunteers] my friends now. I am blessed to come to the kitchen and extremely grateful."
“I am bringing food to my friend who has troubles walking and can't always get food. Thank you for all your help and your prayers.”
“I was informed that my service animal would not be allowed at another kitchen and I am so grateful that community kitchen allows us to eat inside with our service/companion animals. Thank you.”
“Thank you so much for having such a positive attitude, most of us come here so hopeless. It means more to us than the food”
“ Thank you for serving good food with a smile! It makes me feel better about being homeless to come here”
Our mission is to provide FOOD for people who are hungry, CONVERSATION for people who are lonely, REST for people who are struggling, and a VOICE for people in need.
# Loveland’s Community Kitchen – 30 Years of Nourishing Our Community
**A meal is more than food. It is dignity, compassion, connection, and hope.**
The story of Loveland’s Community Kitchen began on June 11, 1996, when community members gathered to explore the possibility of establishing a hot lunch program for Loveland residents experiencing hardship. Just six months later, on December 10, 1996, the Kitchen opened its doors, serving a hot noon meal two days a week. As community needs grew, so did our commitment—expanding first to five days and eventually to seven days a week.
In 2010, we moved into our permanent home at 427 N. Garfield Avenue. Over the years, we continued expanding services to meet the changing needs of our neighbors. We introduced supplemental To-Go Bags in 2011, weekday continental breakfasts in 2013, and evening meals beginning in 2017. Today, we provide breakfast Monday through Friday through community partnerships and dinner service seven days a week, along with sustainable food bags that offer guests additional meals to take with them. These bags provide flexibility for people who work, have limited transportation or mobility, or cannot easily return each day.
Our meals are nutritious and thoughtfully prepared through our partnership with Meals on Wheels, with menus written by registered dietitians and food prepared by trained chefs. Generous donations from local grocery stores, restaurants, bakeries, and food rescue partners help keep costs manageable while maximizing the number of people we can serve.
Our commitment was tested during the COVID-19 pandemic, but we never closed. Whether serving guests in our dining room or distributing meals from a mobile trailer in our parking lot, we continued providing food every single day. On March 15, 2025, we celebrated our 3,000th consecutive day of meal service—a milestone that reflects our unwavering promise to our community. Today, we have surpassed 3,600 consecutive days without missing a day of service.
As we celebrate 30 years, our mission remains as important as ever: **Providing FOOD for people who are hungry, CONVERSATION for people who are lonely, REST for people who are struggling, and a VOICE for people in need.**
In 2025, we served 173,566 meals to 1,469 individuals, supported by more than 880 volunteers contributing over 16,600 hours. But our impact is about more than numbers. It is about welcoming every person with dignity, offering a place of connection, and ensuring that no one in our community has to face hunger alone.
For 30 years, this Kitchen has been sustained by the generosity of individuals, families, local businesses, faith communities, foundations, and volunteers. As the need continues to grow, so does our determination to meet it.
**Together, we are nourishing more than our neighbors' bodies. We are strengthening our community, restoring hope, and making sure there is always a place at the table for everyone.**
Organization name
The Community Kitchen
other names
Loveland's Community Kitchen
1996
Tax id (EIN)
84-1539998
Category
Human Services
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Colorado State Tax Credits
Colorado Homeless Credit
Address
427 North Garfield AvenueMailing
PO Box 3033Headquarters
427 N Garfield DrLarimer County, CO, US