Colorado Food Banks Prepare for Potential SNAP Benefit Cuts, Offer Aid & Seek Support
DENVER – As a potential reduction in Supplemental nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits looms for Colorado residents, food banks and aid organizations across teh state are bracing for increased demand and actively seeking donations and volunteers. The end of the federal public health emergency in May has triggered a reevaluation of SNAP eligibility, leaving many Coloradans facing food insecurity. HereS how to get help and how to contribute:
Northern Colorado:
* Food Bank for larimer County: Serving Loveland and Fort collins, the food bank accepts a variety of donations, including eggs, frozen foods, and wild game.A full list of accepted items is available on their website: https://foodbanklarimer.org/donate-food/.
* Community Food Share: Serving Boulder and Broomfield Counties, accepts small food donations Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at their Louisville location: https://donate-2.communityfoodshare.org/.
* Rural Communities resource Center: Located in Yuma, offers volunteer opportunities at their community food bank and mobile pantry. Monetary donations can be made on their website: https://rcrcenter.org/.
* Rising up Morgan County: Provides shelter, housing support, education, workforce advancement, and food assistance. Support is available through volunteering, item donations, or sponsoring a cot. More details: https://www.risingupmorgancounty.com/.
Denver Metro Area:
* Bienvenidos food bank: In northwest Denver,accepts food and monetary donations and is actively recruiting Spanish-speaking volunteers.https://bienvenidosfoodbank.org/
* Mutual Aid Mondays: Accepts clothing, hygiene items, nonperishable foods, survival gear, and other essentials. donation drop-off sites are located across Denver, and donation pickups can be scheduled by emailing email protected]. Drop-off information:[https://mutualaidmondayorg/donation-drop-off[https://mutualaidmondayorg/donation-drop-off[https://mutualaidmondayorg/donation-drop-off[https://mutualaidmondayorg/donation-drop-off.
* Jewish Family Services: Operates a food pantry in southeast Denver on Tuesdays,Wednesdays,and Fridays,and is currently matching donations up to $15,000. https://www.jewishfamilyservice.org/services/denver-food-pantry
* Kaizen Food Share: Accepts donations of homegrown produce through the Fresh Food Connect app (https://www.freshfoodconnect.org/) and monetary donations through their website. Volunteer opportunities are available virtually and in person: https://www.kaizenfoodrescue.org/volunteer, https://www.kaizenfoodrescue.org/calendar.
* SAME Cafe: (So All May Eat) on East Colfax accepts monetary donations via their website and fresh local produce donations on-site Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m.and 3:30 p.m. Support is also available through their Amazon Wish List: https://www.soallmayeat.org/new-page-4. https://www.soallmayeat.org/
* Park Hill Food Pantry: Distributes food boxes on Fridays from 1 to 3 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m.to 1 p.m. donations can be made online, and volunteer opportunities are available at distributions: https://www.parkhillpantry.com/donate.
