Dear Hunger Relief Partners,
As we enter the first few days of the government shutdown, Food Bank of the Rockies is working together with our state coalition Feeding Colorado to closely monitor the situation. You, our valued Hunger Relief Partners, are a priority, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to keeping you informed and resourced during this time. We will continue communicating about any changes and potential impacts to federally funded hunger-relief programs throughout the duration of the shutdown.
With food insecurity rates at the highest that we’ve seen in over a decade and with additional increases in need throughout our communities, this will be a challenging time for many. Potential paycheck disruptions could impact families, children, older adults, military members, and federal employees across Colorado and the country.
From information shared by Feeding America, we understand the following:
- SNAP benefits should continue uninterrupted through October.
- WIC benefits and services should be available through October.
- The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and Everyday Eats (CSFP) orders that have already been purchased and confirmed should be delivered as expected.
- CACFP is anticipated to continue as planned through October.
That said, all this could change depending on the length of the shutdown. Please do not hesitate to reach out with questions and concerns. We will be available to you and will plan a partner townhall if we anticipate a major change to services.
As need rises, Food Bank of the Rockies will continue to show up for our communities and our partners. We are stronger together, and we will collaborate with each of you to ensure that no one in Colorado goes without the food they need to thrive.
With gratitude,
Monica Buhlig
Chief Impact Officer
If you have any questions, please reach out to Christina Gumbiner at CGumbiner@foodbankrockies.org.
Feeding Colorado Advocacy/Policy Update
Feeding Colorado is the state association of the five Feeding America food banks serving all of Colorado and Wyoming. They track federal and state changes to make it possible for food banks and Hunger Relief Partners to best nourish neighbors experiencing hunger.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Federal Budget Reconciliation HR-001 made some changes to SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) which will increase the number of neighbors seeking food assistance through Hunger Relief Partners. Approximately 615,000 Coloradans receive SNAP benefits. For every meal a food bank provides, SNAP provides nine.
These changes narrowed eligibility, stopped the adjustment of benefit levels to keep up with inflation, and will shift some program costs of administration and benefits to states and counties. The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities estimates up to 36,000 neighbors could lose all benefits and 160,000 could see benefit reductions. Additionally, 3,100 businesses in Colorado accept SNAP and will see a decrease in sales revenue.
Federal SNAP Changes Timeline Summary
| Action | Timeline |
| SNAP Benefit Cost Shift to States, from 0% to 15% based upon error rate | October 2027 (FY2028) |
| SNAP Administrative Cost Shift to states from 50% to 75% | October 2026 (FY2027) |
| SNAP work requirements for ABAWD’s (Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents) | Effective upon enactment |
| TFP (Thrifty Food Plan) Restrictions (narrows benefit levels keeping up with inflation) | Effective upon enactment |
| SNAP eligibility restrictions for certain legal immigrants | Effective upon enactment |
| SNAP utility allowance and internet deduction changes | Effective upon enactment |
| SNAP Ed nutrition education funding eliminated | October 2025 (FY2026) |
Feeding Colorado and our partner agencies are on the front lines of hunger. Please sign up to learn how you can share the stories and struggles of the neighbors you serve to inform decisions being made by elected officials.
New Denver Building Update
Work on our new building in Aurora is continuing rapidly, with our move coming at the end of the year. We are excited about having more dock doors and refrigerated storage so that we can be more responsive to large food donations. We know that you need additional protein and produce, and this building will position us to provide these. The increased demand for food assistance makes this timely.
Be on the lookout soon for opportunities for Hunger Relief Partners to tour our new building!
Program Updates
Community Connections
Regional Town Halls
We enjoyed seeing many Hunger Relief Partners at our Town Halls in August and September. We discussed the construction and impact of our brand-new Aurora distribution center, federal updates, NeoGov trainings, the Vivery Find Food Map, and updates from our Partner Solutions team. If you were unable to join, you can click here to view the recordings.
If you have any feedback on what would make Regional Town Halls most meaningful for you, please share by emailing jilldavis@foodbankrockies.org.
Find Food Map through Vivery
Have you heard of our new Find Food Map, through Vivery? This tool supports neighbors seeking food assistance to find options near them. In July 2025, 23,883 Find Food Map searches took place from neighbors seeking food assistance on Food Bank of the Rockies’ Find Food Map!
With our updated Find Food Map through Vivery, Hunger Relief Partners can claim and take control of their listings.
There are many benefits to Hunger Relief Partners using their free Vivery Find Food account:
- A profile on the Find Food Map which you can update to share accurate information about your organization, including hours, programs, and more.
- A free, professional website for your agency: Turn your Vivery profile into a sleek website with just a few clicks.
To claim your profile, please reach out to Jill Davis at jilldavis@foodbankrockies.org
Of all public-facing Hunger Relief Partners, 45% have already claimed their profiles! When every Hunger Relief Partner claims their profile, neighbors can more easily navigate the hunger relief network, finding food and resources when and where they need them. By keeping your profile updated, you’re not only sharing information about your own services, you’re also strengthening the network as a whole, helping ensure our communities are served in the most connected and effective way possible.
Data & Insights
For those with Link2Feed experience, we value your feedback on how we can best serve you and our neighbors. Please help us best support your use of Link2Feed via this 5-question survey about how your organization uses Link2Feed. We would love to hear from all of you. Thank you!
https://feedingamerica.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4ILKpMnH0TgmyW2
Food Sourcing Update
It is October and the holidays will be here before we know it! Our sourcing team has been working hard to ensure we are stocked up with important, popular, and culturally relevant items for our neighbors during our busiest time of year.
Keep an eye on Agency Express for a variety of holiday items available. For protein options, we will offer frozen whole turkeys. Additionally, due to partner requests, we are offering turkey breasts for smaller households for the first time ever. And, of course, we will also have fresh produce to complete neighbors’ holiday tables! For details on any of these holiday items, reach out to Becky Richardson at brichardson@foodbankrockies.org
Program Feature: Western Slope Mobile Pantry Program
Just like so many of our Hunger Relief Partners, the Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope team has felt the challenges of 2025. We’re seeing more people seeking food, working with tighter budgets, and navigating increased government scrutiny with reporting requirements that take time and energy away from direct service. And yet, together as partners, we continue to show up for our neighbors.
One of the ways we do this is through our Mobile Pantry Program. Much like the work happening at your “brick and mortar” pantries, our mobile pantries are built on the same foundation: community, collaboration, and compassion. With the help of incredible volunteers (we could never do it alone!), our staff teams across Programs, Operations, Volunteer Ops, Transportation, and Development all work hand in hand. From planning and packing to loading trucks, driving long miles, and stepping up when emergency pop-up distributions are needed, the entire Western Slope team is invested in making sure neighbors can access nourishing food.
Currently, we sponsor 25 mobile pantries across eight counties, serving more than 3,000 neighbors every month. In moments of acute need, wildfires, sudden closures, or unexpected hardships, we’ve also launched emergency pop-up mobile pantries. Being ready to respond when and where the need arises is a commitment we share with all of you, our Hunger Relief Partners.
We see the similarities in our work: the long hours, the problem-solving, the creativity it takes to make the most of every resource. And just like you, we celebrate the joy of seeing neighbors leave with dignity, nourishment, and hope.
Our Mobile Pantry Program is one way we stay connected not only to the needs in our region, but also to the heart of this work, the same heart that beats strongly in each of your programs. Together, we are the front line of hunger relief on the Western Slope.
Let’s keep showing up, side by side, because we know this truth: when we work together, there is no challenge too great, and no neighbor should face hunger alone.
Warmly,
The entire Western Slope Team