Colorado Food Banks Brace for Crisis: How a Potential Government Shutdown Could Impact Vital Funding

Food banks in Colorado are facing serious challenges. They are dealing with rising demand for food while also seeing cuts to their funding. The recent federal government shutdown, which began October 1, 2023, could make things even tougher if it continues into next month.

During a virtual meeting, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet reassured food bank leaders that those who ordered food through the Emergency Food Assistance Program before the shutdown would still receive reimbursements. However, he warned that disruptions could begin in November if the government doesn’t restore funding.

Colorado is experiencing a 10-year high in food insecurity, according to Feeding America. In the past year alone, Feeding Colorado’s network served about 1 million individuals and distributed around 146 million pounds of food, valued at about $28 million. Mandy Nuku, the Executive Director, pointed out that in 2019, they spent around $8 million on food—a stark contrast to today’s numbers.

These challenges come at a time when resources are dwindling. Recent cuts of $1 billion to food assistance programs during the Trump administration have significantly impacted food banks. Sue Fegelein, who leads LiftUp Routt County, noted that about half of their clients rely heavily on the food pantry. She emphasized the difficulty in maintaining a supply of healthy options like fresh produce due to reduced funding, leading to less desirable items being offered instead.

In rural areas, living costs are exceptionally high, which adds to food insecurity. Amber Henning from Food Bank of the Rockies highlighted that about 85% of counties with the worst food insecurity rates are rural. Many workers in these communities prioritize basic needs over food due to tight budgets, which often forces them to go without meals.

In Summit County, food prices can be up to 30% higher than in Denver. Brianne Snow, from the Family and Intercultural Resource Center, reported that her nonprofit serves a third of the county’s population. She expressed concern over how to continue serving the community, especially given upcoming cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that will tighten eligibility and reduce funds.

Looking ahead, food bank leaders fear that these cuts will lead to increased reliance on community support and donations. The need for public education about food insecurity has never been more critical. Many people affected by hunger are neighbors—teachers, healthcare workers, and service industry employees. As the situation evolves, local efforts will need to ramp up to meet the growing demand.

To understand the broader context, it’s essential to recognize that these struggles are not new. Food insecurity has been an ongoing issue, but the combination of government cuts and rising costs only exacerbates the problem. Resources like Feeding America help provide data and insights, but community involvement remains crucial to tackling hunger effectively.

For more information on food insecurity and support systems, you can visit [Feeding America](https://www.feedingamerica.org/).

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