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2027 Hunger Relief Partner Agreement: Resources & Support
By now, your organization should have received its individualized 2027 Hunger Relief Partner Agreement packet. This work is part of a broader effort to strengthen our Hunger Relief Partner network, create greater consistency and clarity across our programs, and make it easier for neighbors to find and access the food and resources they need. As you review your materials, remember that you don’t have to navigate the updates on your own.
Watch the Partner Agreement videos here
Short, pre-recorded videos walk through the agreement and key changes so that you can watch the topics most relevant to your organization.
Have questions or want to talk through how the changes apply to your organization? Join us for an upcoming Partner Agreement Town Hall or schedule a one-on-one conversation with our team by contacting partnersolutions@foodbankrockies.org.
Hunger Relief Partnership Agreement 2027 – Overview Town Hall – English
Tuesday, November 17, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/2414262211026284?p=FR2QebNofvEzqQE93Q
Meeting ID: 241 426 221 102 628 4
Passcode: R8vP2xU6
Hunger Relief Partnership Agreement 2027 – Overview Townhall – Spanish
Acuerdo de Socios para el Alivio del Hambre 2027 | Reunión informativa general en español
Martes, 17 de noviembre, de 2:00 a 3:00 p. m.
Unirse: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/282028374806836?p=RfCsvJm8edrXTm2lbc
Id. de la reunión: 282 028 374 806 836
Contraseña: eF2zf7Tx
Please remember that completed agreement materials are due December 31, 2026, with the updated agreement taking effect in January 2027.
Important Dates
Closures:
- Thursday, November 26 – Food Bank of the Rockies is closed all day for the Thanksgiving Holiday
- Friday, November 27 – Food Bank of the Rockies is closed all day for Thanksgiving Holiday
- Monday, November 30 –Food Bank of the Rockies is open until 11:15 a.m. for order pick-up and Fresh Food Center due to the month-end closure
Hunger Relief Partner Orientations:
- Tuesday, November 3, 10:00 a.m. – Hunger Relief Partner Orientation (virtual)
- Wednesday, November 11, 1:00 p.m. – Hunger Relief Partner Orientation (in-person tour + orientation)
- Thursday, November 19, 1:00 p.m. – Hunger Relief Partner Orientation (virtual)
To sign up for orientation or for questions about any of the dates above, contact partnersolutions@foodbankrockies.org. For our full, detailed calendars, please click here.
Feeding Colorado Advocacy/Policy Update
Feeding Colorado is the state association of the five Feeding America food banks serving all of Colorado and Wyoming.
Feeding Colorado hosted US Senator Michael Bennet at Food Bank of the Rockies for a tour and roundtable discussion with Hunger Relief Partners, including Adams County Emergency Food Bank, Metro Caring, Project Worthmore, HALO Community Outreach, Food for Hope, and the Boys & Girls Club. We spoke to the Senator about the increase in need our network has experienced and the importance of protecting and strengthening SNAP and TEFAP in the Farm Bill. Hunger Relief Partners’ perspectives on what you see in your communities are invaluable in informing elected officials. We are grateful for the Senator’s leadership on federal nutrition programs and look forward to a continued partnership with him!
Feeding Colorado Board Chair and Care and Share Food Bank CEO Nate Springer was in Washington, D.C. this month, where he met with many of our members of Congress, including Congressman Jeff Hurd, Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen, and staff for Congressman Jason Crow and Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper. He highlighted the need our network is seeing and the importance of critical federal nutrition programs. We are grateful for the strong bipartisan relationships we maintain with our congressional delegation and look forward to the continued work to support anti-hunger programs and Colorado farmers and producers.
Feeding Colorado tabled for Colorado State University’s Ag Day last weekend alongside some of our food banks. We spoke about our shared work, distributing more than 149 million pounds of food across the state in the last year! Our work wouldn’t be possible without a close collaboration with Colorado farmers and agriculture leaders. This event is a long-standing tradition celebrating Colorado agriculture and honoring Colorado State University School of Agriculture’s rich history!
Grant Opportunities
Richard Reed Foundation
About: Funds smaller, forward-thinking, nonprofit organizations working to build better communities through programs in mental health, child health and development, community welfare, animal welfare, and community environmental impact.
Area Served: Colorado
Average Gift: $10,000
Deadline(s): March 15, 2027 and Aug. 15, 2027
More info at: https://www.richardreedfoundation.org
Eagle River Foundation
About: Supports small nonprofits in the areas of education, environment, community events, physical and mental health, recreation, and community services.
Area Served: Western Eagle County, CO
Average Gift: $500 – $5,000
Deadline(s): June 1, 2027 and Nov. 1, 2027
More info. at: https://www.eagleriverfoundation.org
Training Opportunities
Upcoming Trainings by Metro Caring, a fellow Hunger Relief Partner! Great virtual and in-person opportunities!
Trauma-Informed Spaces and Systems
Explores how trauma can shape people’s experiences of our physical spaces, interactions, and systems, and how we can create environments that better support dignity, safety, and agency.
- Virtual: Wednesday, November 18 | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
- In Person: Thursday, November 19 | 9:30 AM–12:30 PM
Centering Community Power Through Solidarity
Explores lived experience, the movement from charity toward solidarity, and how co-investment with community can shape more equitable ways of working together.
- Virtual: Tuesday, December 1 | 9:30 AM–12:30 PM
- In Person: Thursday, December 3 | 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Program Updates
Community Connections
Hunger Relief Partner Highlight
This month, we’re excited to highlight our valued Hunger Relief Partner, DPS Community Hubs! With six locations supporting DPS families and recently expanding services to nearby neighborhoods, these hubs create welcoming, inclusive spaces where families can access essential resources and build meaningful connections via a trusted resource, schools.
In addition to Mini Markets offering essential food resources, the hubs provide wraparound services, including nutrition education, workforce development, employment support, English as a Second Language classes, SNAP and public benefit assistance, and medical support in partnership with Denver Health. Their holistic approach helps address the diverse needs of families and strengthens the well-being of the broader community.
We’re grateful for this partnership and the hubs’ commitment to ensuring families feel welcomed, supported, and valued. To learn more or connect with the DPS Community Hubs as a resource for families you serve or a model that can be replicated in other districts, contact Community Connector Elizabeth Brethen at ebrethen@foodbankrockies.org.
Food Safety & Civil Rights Annual Compliance Trainings
If your agency hasn’t yet completed the Food Safety & Civil Rights Trainings through NeoGov this calendar year, please complete these 2 trainings by December 31, 2026.
What:
- Two online courses, “Food Safety Training” and “The Great Divide: Civil Rights Training,” must be completed annually through the online platform, NeoGov. Each course takes ~30 minutes to complete. Both courses are available in English and Spanish.
Why:
- Sessions are required to ensure neighbors receive only safe-to-consume food (Food Safety) and that each food distribution is fair and equitable throughout the network (Civil Rights).
Where:
- The two courses must be completed through the online platform, NeoGov. Please note that NeoGov works best through Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge. Safari and Firefox are not recommended. Please disable your pop-up blocker so you can access the courses.
Who:
- All employees & volunteers who regularly support your food program and/or have regular interactions with neighbors should be trained. Your agency is responsible for ensuring everyone is trained, which you can do by hosting your own training(s), providing overview document(s), or coordinating with our team to sign up all team members with their own logins to complete the trainings through NeoGov.
- Non-USDA programs must have a minimum of 1 person complete the trainings through NeoGov
- USDA programs (TEFAP and/or Everyday Eats/CSFP) must have a minimum of two people complete the trainings through NeoGov
When:
- Each Hunger Relief Partner must complete both trainings through NeoGov annually. The courses can be completed at any point in the calendar year. As December 31 approaches, we will remind you to complete the trainings if you haven’t yet done so. If not completed by December 31, your account will be on hold until courses are completed.
- In past years, we asked partners to complete the trainings between June and August. Now, the courses instead must be completed at any point in the calendar year.
How:
If you’ve completed NeoGov trainings in the past, log in here using the credentials you previously created. If you can’t remember your credentials, click on “Forgot Your Username or Password?” and follow the steps. The courses should be visible in your Dashboard when you log in. If the courses aren’t visible on your Dashboard, click on Course Catalog in the top banner, then click Enroll in “Food Safety Training” and “The Great Divide: Civil Rights Training”. Then, click on My Courses in the top banner, and click Start on the courses.
If you haven’t completed NeoGov trainings before, our Partner Solutions team will establish an account for you. Please email partnersolutions@foodbankrockies.org with the name(s) of new users, their associated email(s), and your agency to request new NeoGov accounts.
For more information on accessing the courses, visit the Partner Training section of the Partner Portal on our website: https://www.foodbankrockies.org/partner-portal/partner-training/
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact partnersolutions@foodbankrockies.org.
Government Programs
Everyday Eats No-Show Policy Reminder:
Keeping neighbors informed is an important part of managing missed pickups and deliveries. Here are the key steps:
Two missed months in a row: Send a written discontinuation notice with the reason and effective date. Provide at least 15 days’ notice before benefits end.
Three missed months in a row: Discontinue Everyday Eats distribution to the neighbor, except for participants who have an extended hospital stay exception.
Reapplying: Participants can reapply when they want to receive their Everyday Eats box again!
Remember: Post the policy prominently during distributions and explain it at certification and recertification.
Have any questions? Reach out to Danielle Biewald at dbiewald@foodbankrockies.org.
Food Sourcing Update
Winter Holiday Items
Winter holidays continue with Christmas, Hanukkah, Navidad, and more! We have the following items available for these holidays: cooked smoked half hams; matzo ball mix; yeast packets; egg noodles; masa flour; corn tortillas; flour tortillas; dry pinto beans; dry black beans; ground beef; frozen chicken; dried chiles (ancho, arbol, japones, pasilla); ground cumin; and corn husks. Help our neighbors celebrate this special time of year!
Supply Chain Challenges
Over the last few months, the Purchasing team has seen increased supply chain challenges on many of the items we purchase, particularly delivery delays that have led to inventory shortages and out-of-stocks. This is due to historically high diesel costs and new federal laws, which have led to a sharp decrease in trucks and drivers nationwide. Combined with a spike in trucking demand as we ramp up for the retail holiday season, truck capacity is very tight. We understand these inventory issues create challenges for Hunger Relief Partners; please be assured our Purchasing team is working hard to bring in product and maintain stock. If you have questions about specific items, please reach out to Partner Solutions at partnersolutions@foodbankrockies.org.