This policy snapshot highlights some of our major advocacy successes of 2020. This includes meals for more than 180,000 children, over $5.5 million for food pantries and food banks, increased SNAP benefits, and more.
Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT)
In March 2020, the federal Families First Coronavirus Act created the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program to replace school meals missed during pandemic-related closures. Hunger Free Colorado worked closely with the Colorado Department of Human Services and the Department of Education to:
- Secure funding for the program
- Create and fund outreach campaigns across the state
We also worked with members of Colorado’s Congressional Delegation to extend the program, initially expiring in September 2020, through the 2020-2021 school year.
Outcome and Next Steps
In the spring of 2020, P-EBT provided meals for more than 180,000 children. The program is a crucial part of the response to instability school-age children are facing as a result of COVID-19. Currently, we’re advocating for the:
- Expansion and improvement of P-EBT in Colorado
- Ability for Colorado to issue benefits to eligible families that were missed in the first round of benefit issuance
Food Pantry Assistance Grant Program (HB20-1422)
Colorado’s Food Pantry Assistance Grant Program first received funding in 2018. The program enables food pantries and producers to collaborate in providing fresh food, such as produce, meat and dairy items, for Coloradans in need.
Outcome and Next Steps
This legislation renewed this program, allocating $500,000 of federal COVID-19 relief funds to Colorado food pantries and banks. These funds help respond to the sharp rise in food insecurity, support Colorado’s agricultural production, and get healthy food to households facing hunger. Hunger Free Colorado will continue working to:
- Direct federal relief funds toward addressing hunger
- Collaborate with state departments and legislators to encourage the permanence and expansion of this program
Food Pantry Assistance Grant Program – Special Session (HB20B-1003)
This program expands and provides additional funds to the Food Pantry Assistance Grant Program. This is the most funding the program has received to date. Hunger Free Colorado advocated intensively for these funds and testified in favor of this program during the special session.
Outcomes and Next Steps
This special session passage of the Food Pantry Assistance Grant Program secured $5 million for food pantries and food banks. This legislation also:
- Extends the date through which grants can be made
- Extends the date through which food can be purchased
- Removes the grant cap
- Allows faith-based organizations to apply for grant funds
- Substantially increases the capacity of food pantries and banks to respond to COVID-19
Hunger Free Colorado will continue to advocate for this program and the important resources it’s providing families in Colorado.
COVID-19 Federal Relief Bill
We worked closely with legislators and other organizations to advocate for a relief package that includes support for food programs. Passed on December 20, this bill includes provisions strengthening many existing food programs.
Outcomes and Next Steps
Hunger Free Colorado’s main pandemic policy priority was the passage of additional SNAP assistance. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (or SNAP), is our nation’s largest hunger-relief program. It’s federally funded and a vital tool in fueling the economy during economic downturns. Highlights from this legislation include:
- SNAP benefits are increasing by 15 percent until June of 2021
- College students can access SNAP more easily
- Establishing a task force to support online delivery systems for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
- Expanding Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits coverage to include children under six
- Additional funding for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), the Older Americans Act Nutrition Programs, the School Nutrition Programs, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
- $614 million in nutrition grants to Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
2021 Policy And Beyond
Hunger Free Colorado will continue our work until we live in a state where no one has to wonder where or when they will get their next meal. And with the pandemic wreaking havoc on household food security, the fight to end hunger is far from over.
Support our hunger-solving policy work by joining our advocacy network or through a donation!