Published On: July 20th, 2019Categories: Uncategorized

The Emergency Family Assistance Association last week suffered a fire sprinkling system leak that caused serious damage to its north Boulder building.

Staff closed the offices at 1575 Yarmouth Ave. to the public this week after thousands of gallons of water flooded a significant portion of the building July 12, and they spent the week operating out of the community center at Boulder Meadows Mobile Home Park.

Although the offices will be open for appointments again starting Monday, staff said the food pantry will be under repair for the next six to eight weeks. There will be a temporary location at 1313 Iris Ave. during that time that will open Tuesday.

“EFAA staff and volunteers have been working around the clock to make sure there were no significant gaps in service,” communications coordinator Frankie Ryder wrote in an email.

Five families living in the housing units in the building also were displaced and moved to other EFAA units in the county. They were evacuated July 12, and two families have since been able to return because their units were not damaged. Three families are still living in other EFAA units while repairs are made.

Jeremy Papasso / Staff Photographer

Emergency Family Food Assistance’s food pantry, pictured here in August 2018, was damaged by a leaking fire suppression system in the building’s attic.

Courtney Schwartz, the agency’s director of programs, said she was grateful for the organizations and volunteers who stepped in to help EFAA put temporary measures in place quickly, including Community Food Share, Boulder County Housing and Human Services, and Boulder Meadows Mobile Home Park.

“(We’ve had) huge support,” she said. “It’s really been tremendous. We’ve had way more people come out and rally.”

The main EFAA offices have altered hours during the next six to eight weeks: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; and noon to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

The temporary food pantry at 1313 Iris Ave. also has altered hours: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; and noon to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays.

Cash donations could help the organization support displaced families and cover costs not covered by insurance, Ryder said. Schwartz added that people who want to donate goods are encouraged to call the front desk to talk through their options and ensure that the organization has the capacity to absorb the donations and that they get to the right place. Operations should be back to normal in the next eight weeks.

“That’s what we’re hoping for,” Schwartz said.


How to help

Donate online: www.efaa.org/get-involved/donate/

Other donations: Call 303-442-3042 to make arrangements with staff before dropping off items.


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