The pandemic has been difficult on everyone. To help provide relief to Wheat Ridge families, the Hub at Stevens is a place where families can receive many of the things they need. Located inside Stevens Elementary, 7101 W 38th Ave., the Hub offers a food pantry, hygiene items and a large clothing boutique, supplied by A Precious Child. There is no cost for families to shop at the Hub.
The Hub was created in 2016 at Stevens. It grew as a collaboration between schools in the Wheat Ridge Articulation area. Instead of each school running its own food pantry and clothing closet, the idea was to house one large place for all Wheat Ridge families. Some of the other Wheat Ridge elementary schools continue to contribute to the Hub by running “hygiene item” drives to help keep a steady supply of items in the Hub.
In addition to local schools’ contributions, the Hub relies on local clubs and charities to keep it stocked throughout the school year. For example, The Hub gets most of their food from a local program called Jeffco Eats. The charity is able to deliver food weekly, if needed.
Furthermore, area clubs such as the Wheat Ridge Optimist Club, the Rotary Club, The Wheat Ridge Grange and the Wheat Ridge Kiwanis club all help the Hub with holiday gifts, winter coats and shoes each year. Finally, A Precious Child, a charitable organization in Broomfield, supplies all of the clothing in the Hub. The Hub has clothing to fit babies, children, teens and even adults.
Anyone from Wheat Ridge with a child (ages 0-21) can shop at The Hub. Hours are: Tuesdays 8 to 8:45 a.m., and Thursdays 2:45 and 3:45 p.m. The Hub is also open by appointment: call 303-982-1872.
Tracy Sanner, LCSW, is a Social Emotional Learning Specialist at Slater and Stevens elementary schools.
