Free/Cheap Stuff
Here are some resources in the community that are available to you in order to help the refugee families:
If none of these sources has what your family needs (a computer, tv, etc), e-mail MARC@denrescue.org and see if DRM or LFS has received any special donations recently. It happens, so please ask!
Denver Rescue Mission clothing and furniture bank:
Hours: M-F 8:30am-11:30am
Location: DRM Ministry Outreach Center
3501 E 46th Ave
Denver, CO 80216
(303) 297-1815
What you can get there: Clothing bank: Up to 15 lbs of free clothing (clothes, shoes, socks, coats, etc) once every seven days for one year, hygiene kits, and baby items like diapers (every 30 days). Furntiture bank: Whatever furniture is available at the time.
Requirements: Clothing bank: A referral from DRM. Furniture bank: A referral from DRM and you must call and schedule an appointment. These appointments are limited. E-mail MARC@denrescue.org for a referral form.
Assurance Wireless
http://www.assurancewireless.com/
What you can get there: Through Assurance Wireless you can get a free cell phone with 250 minutes and 250 text messages per month. They also have fairly affordable plans to get additional minutes and text messages.
Requirements: Be in TANF, SSI, and/or several other government assistance programs.
Q Link Wireless
What you can get there: A free cell phone with up to 250 minutes per month. You can buy additional minutes but it appears to be more expensive than Assurance Wireless.
Requirements: Be in TANF, SSI, and/or several other government assistance programs.
Food Bank of the Rockies:
Find a food bank near you and see if they have food that you can give the the family: http://find.foodbankrockies.org/
Colorado 2-1-1:
https://211colorado.communityos.org/cms/home
Phone: 211
What you can get there: Colorado 211 can connect you to many non-profits and programs for assistance in many different areas. Call 211 or check out the database on their website. The database is VERY helpful!
Aurora Interchurch Taskforce Inc.:
http://www.interchurch.info/2012/09/02/get-help/
Location: 1553 Clinton St
Aurora, CO 80010
Phone: 303-360-0260
E-mail: office@aurorainterchurch.org
What you can get there: The task force provides assistance such as groceries, clothing, layettes, household goods, utility payment assistance, emergency medication funds, bus tickets, and school supplies for children.
Requirements: Aurora Interchurch Task Force, Inc. provides substantive emergency assistance to the residents of Aurora. All assistance is provided through telephone interviews to determine need and by appointment only.
Safari Thrift Store:
Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am - 6 pm
Sun 12 pm - 6 pm
Location: 738A Peoria St.
Aurora, CO 80011
(303) 722-4500
What you can get there: Clothes, furniture, books, sports equipment, electronics, household supplies, etc
Requirements: Anyone can go and buy anything from the store. Refugee families may be able to get a voucher from LFS to use at the store. Contact MARC@denrescue.org for more information.
Schools:
Contact the school district where your family's kids go and see what resources they have avaliable. They may be able to help find cheap laptops, cheap internet, clothing, tutors, etc. I can't hurt to ask!
The Bike Depot:
Hours: (see website)
Location: 2825 Fairfax St.
Denver, CO 80207
What you can get there: Free bikes and helmets, free access to tools and experts to help fix your bike, bike maintenance classes, and low cost repairs and parts.
Requirements: For free bikes (14 or older), you must have proof of need in the form of a Food Stamp/WIC/EBT card OR a referral from LFS. Steps: 1) Call or stop by the Bike Depot to sign up. 2) Attend a 3 hour orientation on a Saturday. 3) Complete your sevice requirement (volunteering somewhere). 4) Help to build your bike. See website for more details. E-mail mindy.sohl@lfsrm.org for a referral.
There is also a free bike program called the Bike Rodeo for children 3-13 years old. See http://www.thebikedepot.org/index.php/programs/bike-rodeo for details.
Goodwill Stores:
http://www.goodwilldenver.org/
We have no special partnership with Goodwill, but they do have cheap things that refugees need. Introducing stores like this to refugee families is good so that they know of a cheaper alternative to regular stores.
Clothes to Kids of Denver:
http://clothestokidsdenver.org/
Hours: Only by appointment. Call (720) 379-4630.
Location: 2890 S Colorado Blvd, Suite M3
Denver, CO 80222
What you can get there: Free new clothes (many). See this list.
Requirements: (See Eligibility Guidelines page). Live in Denver County. Children are school aged (Kindergarten - 12th grade OR working on GED). Have a referral form printed on an official letterhead and filled out by a case manager, teacher, or pastor (Referral form).
Craigslist free page:
http://denver.craigslist.org/zip/
Resource List: