Food Bank of the Rockies
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On October 31, two federal judges ruled almost simultaneously that the Trump administration must continue to fund SNAP during the government shutdown, using contingency funds; on November 3, the government said it would make partial payments this month, but that they could be delayed.But the next day, President Donald Trump ruled out any payments. While federal officials feud, people are going hungry…and efforts to provide relief will continue. Here’s what;’s happening in Colorado:
Lawmakers on the Joint Budget Committee approved two budget requests from Governor Jared Polis on October 30, which will help fund critical food access programs during the federal shutdown. The first allocates $10 million to support Colorado food banks and pantries in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s directive to suspend SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, starting November 1.
SNAP is fully funded by the federal government and administered by the state. On October 10, the USDA informed regional and state SNAP directors that if the federal government shutdown continues, states are to pause funding for November. This means the Colorado Department of Human Services will be unable to issue approximately $120 million of November SNAP benefits. On October 28, Colorado joined 22 other states in a lawsuit to force the Trump administration to restore SNAP benefits by tapping into an emergency reserve; the Massachusetts judge on that case found that the states are likely to win on their claim that the USDA unlawfully suspended SNAP benefits, and gave the USDA until November 3 to decide if it will authorize at least a partial SNAP benefit payment.
SNAP provides food assistance to more than 600,000 Coloradans across 330,000 households; more than half of the recipients are children. According to the governor’s office, 10 percent of SNAP recipients are older Coloradans and 15 percent are Coloradans living with a disability.
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The second request approved by the JBC extends previously approved funding for Women, Infants, and Children nutrition access through November. That program supports food access for nearly 100,000 pregnant women, new mothers and young children in Colorado.
For statewide information on aid, see Feeding Colorado.
City of Denver
In Denver, as many as 100,000 people lost access to food support when SNAP was suspended; on October 30, city leaders announced additional aid efforts, including establishing a Food Access Task Force.
For those who need support, Denver has created a one-stop-shop website: DenverGov.org/Food, which includes a list of local food banks and pantries, as well as recreation centers where youth between three and eighteen can get free lunches on Saturdays. People who want to donate food or money can also do it through that site.
For those who would like to help, the city advises that financial contributions have the greatest impact; for example, Food Bank of the Rockies can purchase produce at 20 cents per pound and distribute it to hundreds of local food pantries. But you can also give food at designated recreation centers across the city.
Other resources
Arvada Resiliency Task Force
Arvada has organized, too, with the Arvada Resiliency Task Force issuing a call to action; the goal is to collect up to 2,000 grocery gift cards by November 15. Learn more at arvadachamber.org/neighborhungry.
Food Bank of the Rockies
The go-to for so many through the years, Food Bank of the Rockies has been gearing up to provide additional help during this crisis. This website is one-stop shopping for both those who need food — use the pantry locator tool — and those who want to donate. Monetary donations are particularly welcome.
Metro Caring
Another longtime leader in the fight against hunger, Metro Caring is a major resource for both food and information.
Feeding Colorado
The collaborative effort of the 5 Feeding America food banks that serve Colorado and Wyoming to coordinate and enhance food resources. Visit feedingcolorado.org/find-food to locate local food banks; email info@feedingcolorado.org for more information.
Hunger Free Colorado
Connects Colorado families and individuals to food pantries, free meal sites, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) and other nutrition programs geared toward families, children and older adults. Call 855-855-4626 Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Denver Public Schools Foundation Food Security
The foundation has relaunched its Food Security Fund, putting $20,000 into the project.
Restaurant and food drives
The Dinner Table Project
Youth on Record, the Denver-based arts and youth development nonprofit, has launched The Dinner Table Project, a temporary food campaign that will work to galvanize support from the music community to ensure that local kids, youth, and families have dinner on the table each week through December 2025. The organization is looking for donations and volunteers.
A Food Hall Food Drive for Food Banks
Inspired by cuts to SNAP benefits, six local food halls have launched a friendly competition to collect donations for Colorado families in need through November: Edgewater Public Market in Edgewater, The Golden Mill in Golden, the Stanley Marketplace in Aurora, Freedom Street Social in Arvada, and Denver Central Market and Avanti Food & Beverage in Denver Each participating food hall has partnered with a local nonprofit organization:
- Edgewater Public Market — benefiting JeffCo Eats
- The Golden Mill — benefiting BGOLDN
- Stanley Marketplace — benefiting Village Exchange Center
- Freedom Street Social —benefiting Community Table
- Denver Central Market — benefiting Kaizen Food Rescue
- Avanti Food & Beverage — benefiting Bienvenidos Food Bank
More food drives
These spots are collecting food for those in need:
- The Crypt, 1618 East 17th Avenue
- Chula, 3866 South Broadway, Englewood
Pasta for the People
Jesse Albertini, owner of Sfoglina, is putting her energy into making pasta to donate to food banks. “No forms. No red tape. Just carbs and care,” she wrote in an Instagram post. She is currently accepting donations via Venmo (@sfoglinadenver) to keep the mission going into November.
Kids Eat Free
Several local restaurants are offering free food for kids and/or discounts for adults affected by the government shutdown or the end of SNAP benefits.
- Los Dos Potrillos, the local family-owned chain with multiple locations, is offering one free kid’s meal per child (twelve and under) and 15 percent off for adults (dine-in only). Check out its Instagram post for more information.
- Lincoln’s Roadhouse at 1201 South Pearl Street is offering one free kid’s meal per child (twelve and under), per day (dine-in only). Simply show your SNAP card for the offer.
- Eat Here at 4004 West 38th Avenue is offering a hot dog or salad plus chips and a Capri Sun for kids seventeen and under who come with a parent and a SNAP card, plus 25 percent off for affected adults.
Free Pizza
Odell Brewing Sloan’s Lake Brewhouse & Pizzeria is offering free pizza to anyone who shows up with a SNAP card or federal ID from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on November 5 and 6, and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on November 9.
Know of an organization or business offering help? We’ll be adding to this list; send information to editorial@westword.com.
