Driving Transformational Change
Our mission is to connect people to food resources to meet existing needs and drive policy, systems and social change to end hunger.
To meet existing needs, we make it easier for people to access and afford food with dignity. Through caring, knowledgeable staff and partners, we connect people to SNAP and other programs that provide money for groceries, healthy meals for kids year-round and consistent access to fresh, local foods.
Understanding the Realities of Hunger
Having enough nutritious food is vital for health and well-being throughout our lives. Nutritious food helps babies develop, gives kids the energy to excel in school, reduces the risk of chronic diseases in adults and keeps older adults stable and independent. And yet, all across Colorado, kids start the school day hungry, unable to focus on learning. Parents go without to feed their children, and older adults are forced to decide between buying medication or food.
Building a More Just Future
Our vision is that every Coloradan has equitable access to nutritious, culturally relevant food. That vision can only be realized by following the lead of community members directly impacted by hunger, building a community-centered food system, and overturning the structural racism in our institutions and government policies that result in Black, Indigenous, Latinx, immigrant and other communities of color being disproportionately impacted by hunger and poverty.
To achieve our long-term vision, our approach:
- centers community members and local communities directly impacted by hunger;
- pursues systems and policy changes that strengthen SNAP, school meals and other government nutrition programs while also building local food systems;
- ensures adequate income for all and;
- eliminates racist barriers that hinder food access for immigrants and other communities of color.
Guided by Our Values
In all of our work, we are guided by, and work to hold ourselves accountable to our six core values:
Equity
We will not successfully end hunger unless we achieve justice and inclusion for all by overcoming and repairing the harm imposed on persons and communities by racism, classism and gender discrimination in our society, institutions and government policies.
Agency
We’re cultivating an environment for advocacy and self-determination. Individuals, families, and communities know what they need to thrive and be nourished. When solutions and policies are crafted with this principle in mind and are shaped by those most impacted by hunger, people and communities can play a greater role in shaping their food systems and what’s on their kitchen tables.
Collaboration
One organization cannot end hunger alone – it will take deep partnerships with many organizations, communities, leaders, and elected officials to leverage expertise, resources and perspectives across a broad-based, intersectional movement for food justice, economic justice and racial justice.
Respect
We live the world we wish to create by treating all with dignity and empathy. We value the perspectives, experiences, and insights our diverse staff and partners bring to the mission of Hunger Free Colorado.
Innovation
Creating transformational change requires looking beyond the status quo to boldly envision new ways of doing things. There can be no meaningful change without taking risks and trying new ways of working that value voices and ideas outside of dominant perspectives.
Impact
We must strategically focus our energy and resources to create positive and meaningful, sustainable results.
Join us as we work to end hunger in Colorado.
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