Food assistance programs in the Denver metro area are experiencing heightened demand due to rising living costs and recent cuts to federal benefits. Local food pantries are seeing an influx of new, first-time users requiring support. Leaders in these organizations emphasized the need for increased funding for programs like the Emergency Food Assistance Program and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at a roundtable discussion hosted by U.S. Senator Michael Bennet at the Food Bank of the Rockies.
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According to Ron Meehan, government relations manager for Feeding Colorado, around 40,000 Coloradans have lost access to SNAP benefits following changes to the program's requirements. This shift has increased the number of individuals seeking help from food banks, which are now servicing not only low-income families but also middle-income households facing financial strain.
“Now, with the cuts to these federal programs, it is a dark moment for our network in terms of need,” Meehan stated, while highlighting the opportunity to improve assistance programs moving forward.
Steph Wayne, executive director of the Adams County Emergency Food Bank, reported that 3,400 new visitors have sought assistance since January. Many families are increasingly relying on food banks for primary groceries rather than supplemental support, requesting personal and healthcare items that food banks often lack the capacity to provide. Recent changes to SNAP have restricted the types and quantities of food families can buy, leading to a loss of dignity and choice when they visit stores.
Wayne articulated the impact of these SNAP changes, stating, “It really takes away a piece of dignity when you can't go to the store and get what you want.” She also noted that food assistance programs for seniors require improvements, particularly in transportation services, as volunteers may help load food, but cannot assist them in carrying it into their homes. KaCy Fowles, CEO of HALO Community Outreach, suggested that using SNAP benefits for grocery delivery charges could significantly aid seniors.
Simret Kahsai, director of programs at Project Worthmore, indicated that her organization distributed 400,000 pounds of food from January to September this year, a substantial increase from 183,000 pounds last year. This shift reflects a 90% rise in the number of families served.
During a government shutdown last year, organizations like Food for Hope faced sudden surges in demand, with Executive Director Emily Stromquist reporting that they were asked to triple or quadruple their output. Families previously self-sufficient found themselves dependent on food banks. One mother supported by Food for Hope manages four children with disabilities and relies on the food pantry for dinner after her children receive school lunches, often skipping meals herself.
Bennet criticized the policies of the Trump administration, stating that the current situation reveals severe deficiencies in national priorities. He underscored the importance of renewing support for SNAP as a critical component of the upcoming Farm Bill. However, the likelihood of passing a new Farm Bill through the current Congress is uncertain.
The changes made last year under the 2025 Republican tax cut and spending legislation known as H.R. 1, which imposed new work requirements on SNAP beneficiaries, have led to a nationwide drop in enrollment. These adjustments are expected to incur additional costs for states managing the program.
This story is part of the Colorado News Collaborative.