Colorado Food Banks Face Empty Shelves and Long Lines as Demand Surges Amid Supply Shortages

It’s a Wednesday afternoon at the Sunnyside Food Market in Colorado Springs. This grocery program, run by Care and Share Food Bank, offers free food to those in need. Today, the line stretches out the door, a sign of the growing demand for assistance.

Mary Lasch, a volunteer, notes that more people are coming to the market while the food supply is dwindling. “We have to balance the number of people we serve with what we can give,” she says. Many families leave without enough food.

Food banks like Care and Share are facing tough times. Cuts to federal food assistance programs have increased demand but decreased the availability of food. Those in favor of these cuts argue they’re necessary to eliminate fraud. However, local advocates, like Stephanie Gauch from Weld County Food Bank, insist that families are going hungry.

Under a new law passed by Congress, eligibility for food programs has tightened, meaning fewer people can access SNAP benefits. “This is the largest cut to federal nutrition programs in history,” Nate Springer, CEO of Care and Share, explains. People will now have to work or volunteer at least 20 hours a week to qualify for these benefits, and recent changes to exemptions will make it even harder for many people to get help.

Gauch mentions that Weld County Food Bank has already seen three times the number of visitors compared to last year. With expectations for even more people seeking help soon, the food bank is struggling to keep up. As costs rise, it’s becoming harder to provide well-rounded meals. Gauch adds that they’re facing a $2 million shortfall, limiting their ability to meet current demands.

Community members are noticing the effects directly. Regular patrons like James Morris express fears about what these cuts mean for their futures. Darrien Callian, another visitor, has also seen the shelves grow emptier: “We’ve noticed there isn’t much on the shelves anymore.”

Despite these challenges, individuals like Mary Lasch continue volunteering, driven by the smiles of children who find fresh fruits and veggies. “It’s rewarding to know I made a difference today in my community,” she shares.

Experts agree that these cuts could have long-term consequences on food security in the area. A recent survey by Feeding America found that 1 in 6 Americans faced hunger in 2022, a trend likely exacerbated by recent changes to food assistance programs.

In Southern Colorado, organizations like Care and Share and Weld County Food Bank are doing their best to navigate this tough terrain. While they are resilient, the decreased food supply means they will have to get creative in sourcing meals for those in need. As Springer puts it, “We are in a good position to weather the storm, albeit with less food.”

These organizations need community support now more than ever. The need for services is vast, and while volunteers are stepping up, donations and resources are crucial. To learn more about food assistance and how to help, visit Feeding America.

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