The federal government shutdown is now the longest in history with no clear end in sight, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that typically assists over 600,000 Coloradans per month – and close to 42 million nationwide, about 12% of the population – has not distributed benefits that typically go out at the start of the month. A judge ordered the Trump administration to fully fund SNAP for the month, but the Trump administration appealed this decision in favor of its partial payments plan. For now, it remains unclear for most recipients when they will receive their benefits or how much they will receive.
As the Pikes Peak Bulletin has noted, this is placing an even greater burden on already strained local food security resources.
On Thursday, Nov. 6, local food bank Care and Share along with the nonprofit Food to Power hosted a pop-up no-cost grocery event at Grace Church of the Nazarene in the Stratton Meadows area of Colorado Springs.
Karen Fleming volunteered at the event. She was the administrative assistant at the Meadows Park Community Center until it closed as part of cuts made by the City of Colorado Springs to address a $31 million budget shortfall.
“Now I am volunteering, because I want to make sure people get their food,” she said.
Food to Power’s event promotions on social media noted, “Meadows Park Community Center may be closed, but we won’t stop serving the Stratton Meadows neighborhood.” To learn more about food insecurity in this area, read the Bulletin’s “Budget cuts and the math of hunger in Colorado Springs.”
Fleming said she was seeing “a bunch of first-timers” seeking food assistance, as well as familiar faces. Less than 90 minutes into the event, over 80 people had put their names on the assistance sign-in sheet.
“I’ve had people come that I have known and they hug me and say, ‘thank God, because I wouldn’t be eating’” if it weren’t for no-cost grocery opportunities, she said, adding that people are going to multiple food pantries to get enough food.
“Starvation doesn’t have an age limit. It is everybody suffering,” she said. “We’re trying to make [the situation] a little easier right now.”
Seeking food assistance or help with other needs? Call 2-1-1, or visit Pikes Peak United Way’s website, which also lists volunteer and donation opportunities.
