As you know, we launched our new, easier to use, website last month! Last time, we showed you the ways we can help connect Coloradans to food resources. Today, we’re highlighting how Hunger Free Colorado’s partnership opportunities help end hunger in communities.
SNAP PEAS
SNAP Partners Engaging in Application Services (SNAP PEAS) are deeply embedded in their communities and provide the most relevant and responsive support to the families they serve.
They do so by working directly with members of their community to help them apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and connect with other food resources. Through these close relationships with clients, SNAP PEAS are uniquely able to understand and help overcome the barriers to services that so many families experiencing hardship face. Barriers such as stigma, quality application completion, understanding program rules and availability, and the chronic stress of adversity.
“Food insecurity is a very sensitive topic and people are more likely to seek/receive help when working with a community-based organization they trust,” said Nora Doherty, SNAP PEAS Coordinator. “The more SNAP PEAS we train, the more people in Colorado will receive the food assistance they deserve, reducing hunger in Colorado.”
Our SNAP PEAS partners include local WIC agencies, food pantries and food banks, family resource centers, county departments of human services, medical providers, soup kitchens, colleges and universities, legal aid offices, community farms & food organizations, and immigrant and unique culture support agencies.
Colorado Food Pantry Network
Inequitable food access disproportionately affects vulnerable communities throughout Colorado. The charitable/emergency food system plays an important role in addressing this challenge.
Our Colorado Food Pantry Network brings food pantries together to end hunger in Colorado. This statewide effort helps food pantries invest in improved collaboration, organizational efficiencies and spur collective action.
The networks’ vision is for food pantries, with collective power, to meet the needs of Coloradans struggling with hunger. As part of a united charitable food system, they will be stronger, more efficient and more effective in providing their services to the community.
Findings and advocacy from the Colorado Food Pantry Network was the initial impetus for the Food Pantry Assistance Grant, which has now provided more than $10 million to our local food system, connecting local farmers and food pantries.
Hotline Referral Program
Many organizations partner with us through our Hotline Referral Program. Our Food Resource Hotline is a one-stop shop that organizations can refer clients to. Once we receive the referral, our food assistance navigators connect them with food resources across the state, federal nutrition programs and more. We also send partners free printed materials to share with their clients and communities.
Hunger Free Students
School meals can make up more than half a student’s daily calories. And access to nutritious meals has a significant impact on student health, behavior, and academic success.
Our Hunger Free Students initiative works with schools and other community organizations to increase participation in school meals, summer meals, and after-school nutrition programs. Hunger Free Colorado also provides outreach materials and toolkits that schools and other youth-serving groups can use to help ensure that all youth are nourished and ready to learn.
Actions YOU Can Take to Help End Hunger
Ending hunger takes all of us. Now that you know what Hunger Free Colorado does, here are some actions you can take to help end hunger.
- Send this to a community-serving organization in your community! It could be your nearby schools, food pantries, or community centers.
- Help support our work with a donation.
- Spread the word! Below are some example posts that you can copy/paste to your social media channels.
Is your community facing hunger? Hunger Free Colorado has many partnership opportunities to help organizations end hunger in their communities. Check them out here: HungerFreeColorado.org/partner-with-us/partner/
Our community must address hunger! Hunger Free Colorado’s partnership opportunities and free resources can help. HungerFreeColorado.org/partner-with-us/partner/