This bill would slash billions in food assistance over the next decade, jeopardizing the health and well-being of hundreds of thousands of Coloradans, and millions across the country. These cuts come at a time when food insecurity remains high, and far too many people are still struggling to make ends meet.

The bill creates sweeping structural changes to SNAP that would impose significant costs onto states. For a state like Colorado, which already operates under a chronically constrained budget, this cost-shifting threatens the very foundation of a program designed to be universally accessible to those who qualify. It breaks the longstanding federal commitment that SNAP will be there for anyone in need who qualifies for the program. 

The proposal erects new barriers to access by cruelly expanding work requirements and limiting state flexibility. These changes disproportionately harm older adults, caregivers, and workers navigating unstable employment, effectively penalizing people for circumstances often beyond their control.  Moreover, the bill would artificially limit future updates to benefit levels, ignoring the reality of rising food costs and locking families into inadequate support.

These cuts are not about fiscal responsibility—they are about disinvestment from families and communities, while making room for tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans. SNAP is more than a basic needs support: it is a powerful engine for public health, child development, economic growth, and local commerce. In Colorado alone, SNAP benefits support over 3,000 retailers and drive dollars directly into our communities.

By undermining SNAP, this bill threatens to increase hunger, hurt local economies, strain health care systems, and widen inequality. It moves us backward at a time when we should be building toward a more resilient and equitable future.

Hunger Free Colorado strongly opposes this legislation and any policy that punishes people for experiencing economic hardship. We call on Congress to reject these dangerous cuts. We remain steadfast in our commitment to defending SNAP and fighting for a future where no Coloradan has to wonder where their next meal will come from. We will continue to stand alongside communities most impacted and advocate for solutions rooted in dignity, equity, and compassion.

The day’s advocacy efforts centered on securing robust support and funding for the Healthy School Meals for All (HSMA) program to sustain it for the long term—an essential initiative to ensure we #KeepKidsFed in our state. Advocates also pushed for increased investment in Universal Preschool (UPK) and the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP), both critical to creating a stronger foundation for Colorado’s youngest.

Upon arriving at the Capitol, participants split into district-based groups to meet with their state senators and representatives. Many shared heartfelt stories of how the Healthy School Meals for All program has positively impacted their children, families, and communities. While all public school students in Colorado currently have access to free meals, advocates emphasized the urgent need to sustain other vital components of the program. These include local purchasing grants that help schools buy fresh, healthy food from Colorado farmers and ranchers, technical assistance grants for improving kitchen equipment and promoting from-scratch cooking, and wage boosts for frontline cafeteria workers.

Ensuring that free school meals are nutritious, locally sourced, and prepared by well-compensated staff is a key priority for Hunger Free Colorado and its partners this legislative session. By enhancing the quality of school meals and supporting those who prepare them, we are investing not only in the health of Colorado’s children, but their futures as well.

Advocates also voiced strong support for Governor Polis’s proposed funding increase for the Universal Preschool Program, recognizing it as a strategic investment in the long-term sustainability and accessibility of quality early childhood education. Additionally, they backed the Governor’s request for $10 million in additional funding for the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) which would provide critical support to low-income working families in need of affordable childcare.

The atmosphere at the Capitol was electric, with crowds gathered outside the House and Senate chambers. Legislators were pulled from the floor to hear directly from their constituents—Coloradans eager to share their lived experiences and stress the importance of fully funding these transformative programs.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who took time to raise their voices, as well as to the legislators who listened with open minds. February 19th was a testament to the sheer power of collective action when we all come together and fight for what we believe in. Stay tuned for more updates around funding for the Healthy School Meals for All program, now introduced as HB25-1274.

Want to be part of our efforts to #KeepKidsFed? Organizations can sign on in support of Healthy School Meals for All: https://bit.ly/Support2025HSMAlegislation.

SNAP participants receive their monthly benefits on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which functions like a debit card. The transition from the paper vouchers used when the program first began to today’s EBT cards has significantly improved the consumer experience for SNAP participants. However, while EBT cards provide many benefits to the consumer experience, they also carry inherent risks of electronic theft that have long affected private bank card users.

A particular concern is skimming theft, where criminals place small devices on payment terminals to illegally capture the card information of unsuspecting users. This stolen data can then be used to clone the card and make unauthorized purchases, often in different states. In the past few years, this type of theft targeting SNAP participants has increased in several states, among them Colorado.

As criminals increasingly use card skimmers to steal benefits from vulnerable households, it’s critical to implement policies that both enhance card security and ensure long-term benefit replacements for victims. This page will discuss the policy solutions needed to protect SNAP participants from the negative impacts of electronic theft. For tips on using your EBT card and keeping it safe, click here.

Benefit Replacements: A Critical Need

When households lose their SNAP benefits to skimming, they often make difficult tradeoffs between food and other essentials. For low-income households, the sudden loss of these benefits means having to choose between feeding their families and paying for critical expenses such as rent, utilities, or healthcare. Some households may skip meals or reduce their grocery budgets to cover bills, while others may delay paying for medications or forgo necessary healthcare to afford food. This heightened level of financial stress resulting from electronic theft, highlights the importance of timely, long-term benefit replacements for SNAP participants.

For private bank cardholders, protections are in place to restore stolen funds in cases of electronic theft. However, until recently, SNAP participants had no such recourse. This gap in protection prompted calls for Congress to ensure that benefits can be replaced with federal funds when theft targeting SNAP participants occurs. In December 2022, Congress passed an act that included temporary protections for SNAP participants, allowing for temporary benefits replacement of up to two months of stolen benefits for affected SNAP participants.  While this was a significant step forward, this benefit replacement provision is temporary, so the need for a long-term solution remains urgent.

Card Security: Ensuring Access While Enhancing Protection

Electronic theft and card skimming have been persistent issues for decades, as electronic theft has long targeted private bank cardholders. However, while private bank customers have been protected by modern security measures, EBT cards have not kept pace with modern technology. Factors like the cost and logistical challenges of upgrading systems, along with the lack of laws or regulations requiring EBT cards to meet modern security standards, have left many SNAP participants vulnerable to less secure card technology.

Unlike traditional bank cards, which offer chip and touchless technology among other security measures, EBT cards rely on outdated magnetic strip technology, making them more vulnerable to skimming. This poses a serious policy gap, as many SNAP participants are left without essential benefits if their cards are skimmed.

Ensuring that EBT card technology is modernized in line with private consumer protections is essential to reducing theft. A key proposal for enhancing card security is the introduction of chip-enabled EBT cards to replace magnetic strips, EMV chips generate a unique code for each transaction, making it harder for criminals to clone card information.

However, a significant challenge in addressing EBT card skimming is striking a balance between security and accessibility. Many recipients of SNAP may experience technology as a barrier and have difficulty navigating complex security systems. For example, two-factor authentication is a security measure that requires users to provide two forms of identification to access their account. While it enhances protection against theft, it can create accessibility challenges for SNAP participants. Many may lack access to smartphones, reliable internet, or have limited digital literacy, making it difficult to navigate the process. Additionally, language barriers and unreliable phone access can further complicate their ability to use two-factor authentication. Therefore, any solution to enhance card security must include input from participants to ensure that changes do not inadvertently make accessing benefits more difficult.

Legislative Action: A Need for Long-Term Solutions

While some temporary measures have been implemented to address immediate issues, there is a growing recognition that long-term solutions are needed to comprehensively tackle EBT skimming. Key components of long-term solutions include:

• Permanent benefits replacement for stolen funds, ensuring that recipients do not face financial hardship when their cards are skimmed.
• Card modernization to protect against future theft, including the transition to more secure technologies.

Proposed legislation such as the following Farm Bill marker bills, aim to enhance EBT card security:

• • Enhanced Cybersecurity Act (S.3893/H.R.7585): This aims to prevent criminals from exploiting vulnerabilities in EBT cards and stealing benefits from low-income families. It modernizes cybersecurity standards for EBT cards, which haven’t been updated since 2010, by mandating the use of theft-resistant chips and phasing out outdated, magnetic strips.
  • Stop Scams Act: This aims to protect recipients of SNAP, WIC, and TANF from the growing threat of card skimming by requiring state agencies to inform beneficiaries about the risks and the steps they can take if their benefits are stolen. It also mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture establish new cybersecurity and digital regulations for states to address vulnerabilities in the EBT system. Additionally, the act calls for all states to upgrade to more secure chip-enabled cards within five years.

  For more information on these proposed measures you can visit our Farm Bill page.

  Our Priorities: Protecting SNAP Participants from Theft

  At Hunger Free Colorado, we are committed to advocating for:

  1. 1. 1. Stronger security measures for EBT cards that are accessible and user-friendly for participants.
        2. Long term benefit replacement for victims of skimming, ensuring that no family goes without food due to theft.
        3. Long-term legislative solutions, including the Enhanced Cybersecurity Act and the Stop Scams Act, to provide permanent protections against skimming and theft.
        4. Participant-centered approaches in the design and implementation of new security measures to ensure accessibility and ease of use for all recipients.

  These priorities align with our mission to support and empower SNAP participants, ensuring that they have consistent access to food resources without the fear of theft. Federal and state policymakers must work together to create an EBT system that is both secure and accessible, protecting participants from skimming while safeguarding their ability to access essential benefits.

  To send a letter to your representatives to support skimming protections and enhance and protect SNAP, click here.

  ]]> https://hungerfreecolorado.org/post-election-statement/ Mon, 11 Nov 2024 16:57:24 +0000 https://hungerfreecolorado.org/?p=15499 Standing Strong for Healthy Food Access, Justice, and Dignity

   

  As we reflect on a challenging week, Hunger Free Colorado reaffirms our unwavering commitment to stand alongside our most impacted community members and continue the fight for a just food system—one where all Coloradans can access nutritious, culturally relevant foods with autonomy and dignity.

  We believe that food is a basic right, and that food security is not just a matter of access, but of justice. A movement to transform food systems must be interconnected to movements for racial justice, gender equality, LGBTQIA+ rights, and all efforts that champion the inherent value of every human being – centering the voices and leadership of those most harmed by oppressive systems. 

  The rhetoric and policy proposals we’ve seen nationally in recent months stand in stark contrast to these values. Ongoing targeting of immigrant communities, misogynistic attacks on bodily autonomy, and harmful narratives disparaging LGBTQIA+ individuals only deepen existing divides and directly harm the communities we serve. Combined with threats to vital federal nutrition programs such as SNAP, WIC, and school meals, these proposed actions jeopardize not just food access, but the well-being of entire communities.

  Yet, in this challenging moment, our resolve is stronger than ever. We are not just fighting for access to food, we are fighting for a future where every individual has the ability to thrive. In the months and years ahead, we will continue doing what we do best: building community power to fight for just food systems, standing in solidarity with BIPOC and other communities on the frontlines, and advocating for healthy food access for all Coloradans.

  Through policy advocacy and community organizing, we will fight to protect federal nutrition programs like SNAP and WIC, ensuring that they remain strong, accessible, and effective. We will oppose any policies that restrict eligibility, reduce benefits, or undermine the integrity of these vital programs. Through our statewide hotline, SNAP Outreach team and broad partner network, we will continue to connect people to vital food resources. In addition, we will continue to work side by side with community leaders to champion Healthy School Meals for All, advocating for a future where no child in our state goes hungry, healthy school meals are sourced from our local farmers and ranchers, and front-line school nutrition professionals are paid a living wage. 

  While much may change in the political landscape, we are steadfast in our commitment to building community power to transform food systems to be more equitable and just. And we will not rest until every Coloradan has access to the nutritious, culturally relevant food they need to thrive. Together, we will rise above the challenges of today and continue to push for a better, more just future. Thank you for standing with us.

  To receive updates from us, join our advocates list here. 

  .        .        .

  Manteniéndose firmes a favor del acceso a alimentos saludables, la justicia y la dignidad 

   

  Al final de una semana difícil, Hunger Free Colorado (Colorado Sin Hambre) reafirma nuestro compromiso inquebrantable de apoyar a los miembros de nuestra comunidad más afectados y continuar la lucha por un sistema alimentario justo, uno en el que todos los habitantes de Colorado puedan acceder a alimentos nutritivos y culturalmente relevantes con autonomía y dignidad.

  Creemos que la alimentación es un derecho básico y que la seguridad alimentaria no es solo una cuestión de acceso, sino de justicia. Un movimiento para transformar los sistemas alimentarios debe estar interconectado con los movimientos por la justicia racial, la igualdad de género, los derechos de la comunidad LGBTQIA+ y todos las gestiones que defienden el valor y la dignidad inherentes de cada ser humano, centrando las voces y el liderazgo de los más perjudicados por los sistemas opresivos.

  La retórica y las propuestas políticas que hemos visto a nivel nacional en los últimos meses contrastan marcadamente con estos valores. La persecución constante de las comunidades inmigrantes, los ataques misóginos a la autonomía de cada cuerpo humano y las narrativas dañinas que menosprecian a las personas LGBTQIA+ solo profundizan las divisiones existentes y dañan directamente a las comunidades a las que servimos. Combinadas con amenazas de desmantelar cruciales programas federales de nutrición como SNAP, WIC y comidas escolares, estas acciones propuestas ponen en peligro no solo el acceso a los alimentos, sino el bienestar de comunidades enteras.

  Sin embargo, en este momento difícil, nuestra determinación es más fuerte que nunca. No solo luchamos por el acceso a los alimentos, luchamos por un futuro en el que cada individuo tenga la capacidad de prosperar. En los próximos meses y años, seguiremos haciendo lo que mejor sabemos hacer: generar poder comunitario para luchar por sistemas alimentarios justos, solidarizarnos con las personas negras, indígenas y de color (BIPOC, en inglés) y otras comunidades en primera línea, y abogar por el acceso a alimentos saludables para todos los habitantes de Colorado.

  A través de la promoción de políticas públicas y de la organización comunitaria, lucharemos para proteger los programas federales de nutrición como SNAP y WIC, asegurándonos de que sigan siendo fuertes, accesibles y eficaces. Nos opondremos a cualquier política que restrinja la elegibilidad, reduzca los beneficios o socave la integridad de estos programas vitales. A través de nuestra línea telefónica directa estatal, el equipo de extensión de SNAP y la amplia red de socios, continuaremos conectando a las personas con recursos alimentarios vitales. Además, continuaremos trabajando codo a codo con los líderes comunitarios para defender las comidas escolares saludables para todos, promoviendo un futuro en el que ningún niño de nuestro estado pase hambre, en el que las comidas escolares saludables provengan de nuestros agricultores y ganaderos locales, y en el que los profesionales de la nutrición escolar de primera línea sean compensados con un salario digno.

  Si bien mucho puede cambiar en el panorama político, estamos firmes en nuestro compromiso de generar poder comunitario para transformar los sistemas alimentarios para que sean más equitativos y justos. Y no descansaremos hasta que todos los habitantes de Colorado tengan acceso a los alimentos nutritivos y culturalmente relevantes que necesitan para prosperar. Juntos, superaremos los desafíos de hoy y continuaremos impulsando un futuro mejor y más justo. Gracias por estar con nosotros.

  Para recibir nuestras actualizaciones, suscríbanse aquí a nuestra lista de activistas comunitarios.

  ]]> https://hungerfreecolorado.org/2024-legislative-session-wrap-up/ Tue, 14 May 2024 17:08:10 +0000 https://hungerfreecolorado.org/?p=14790 How have we been working to transform food systems this legislative session? 

  Throughout this legislative session, we have worked to transform our food systems and empower communities. We have pursued policies that enhance food access and autonomy, working toward a food system that is equitable and resilient, where every individual and family can procure the nourishing foods they desire. We still have a lot of work to do, but we are proud of what we have accomplished with your support, and we look forward to continuing to build the movement for food justice in our state.  

  Summer-EBT (S-EBT) 

  Governor Polis signed a Summer EBT bill into law, setting up the implementing structure for the program, during a 2023 special session.  Summer EBT is a new federal program that will serve as an additional support for low-income households. Low-income families with children will be eligible to receive $40/month per eligible child in Summer 2024. Hunger Free Colorado, in partnership with the Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger, led advocacy on this important bill to pave the way for the program to launch this summer. We want to give a huge thank you to Governor Polis and the bill’s sponsors: Sen. Jeff Bridges, Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, Rep. Shannon Bird, and Rep. Lorena Garcia, as well as the Colorado Department of Human Services and Colorado Department of Education, and all the dedicated advocates, for their tireless work to make this new program happen. This bill will make a positive difference in the lives of over 300,000 Colorado children this summer! Learn more about S-EBT HERE.  

  Community Food Assistance Provider Grant Program 

  The Community Food Assistance Provider Grant program provides funding to food pantries and food banks to purchase the foods their communities want, bolstering community resilience and autonomy over local food systems, supporting local farmers and ranchers, and ensuring access to healthy, culturally relevant foods within our communities. This session, in collaboration with Feeding Colorado, we successfully secured long-term funding for our local emergency food systems. HB24-1407 merges the former Food Pantry Assistance Grant program (FPAG) and the Food Bank Assistance Grant program (FBAG) to create the new program and invests $3 million annually for five years. Grants will be distributed to a wide array of food pantries and food banks of different types and sizes that operate in a variety of regions throughout the state. By channeling resources into this vital program, we reinforce our commitment to supporting food pantries and food banks, uplifting local farmers and ranchers, and ensuring equitable access to wholesome, culturally resonant foods across our communities. Thank you to the Joint Budget Committee for supporting this important investment in improving access to nutritious food while supporting Colorado agriculture.  

  Healthy School Meals for All (HSMA) 

  This legislative session presented an unexpected funding challenge as the Healthy School Meals for All (HSMA) program began its first year of feeding Colorado kids. HSMA, which passed through a popular ballot measure in 2022, allows schools participating in the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students. It has been a hugely popular program, with every eligible district opting in and meal consumption up by over 30%. However, heightened participation coupled with increased food costs and changes in federal reimbursement rates resulted in a significant funding shortfall. To ensure the sustained viability of the program and the implementation of all its essential components, such as support for staff wages and the procurement of locally sourced food, our policy and advocacy teams partnered with parents, farmers, cafeteria workers and other advocates to pursue a referred ballot measure that would have bridged the funding gap. We are incredibly grateful to work with Representative Lorena Garcia on the policy, who championed the proposal at the legislature.   

  Despite our collective hard work and the support of 70+ other organizations, we were not able to secure the late bill status necessary to pursue a referred ballot measure. However, the session wasn’t without its victories. The Joint Budget Committee decided to temporarily bridge the funding gap for free breakfasts and lunches through the 2024-2025 school year (directing $15.4 million from the State Education Fund for the current fiscal year 2023-2024 and directing $22.9 million for fiscal year 2024-2025) and extended an existing local purchasing pilot program. However, grant programs that would have funded school nutrition professional wage boosts and support for local food procurement were postponed.  

  Most importantly, however, the session provided a platform for community members from across the state to voice their support for the program and its impact on their lives.  We hosted a series of lobby days and had dozens of conversations with lawmakers. Seasoned community advocates joined us, as well as many parents and community members who lobbied for the very first time. While we did not get the referred measure we were hoping for, our collective advocacy for a late bill laid an important foundation for future efforts to fully fund and implement HSMA. Legislators and House leadership heard about the importance of a long-term solution for HSMA from hundreds of us, we engaged and mobilized new champions at the legislature, the program and our advocacy garnered media attention, and ultimately, we encouraged House leadership to go from a “no” to committing to working with us on a solution going forward. Thank you to everyone for making calls, sending messages, showing up at the Capitol, posting to social media, and sharing with friends and neighbors. Through your active engagement and advocacy efforts, we strengthened our collective impact and underscored the importance of HSMA in our communities. 

  While the path forward remains challenging, our commitment to advocating for all components of HSMA and long-term sustainability is as strong as ever. If you haven’t already, we hope you will join our growing movement for Healthy School Meals for All – sign up for advocacy alerts HERE or contact our Organizing team to learn how your community can get involved.  

                        

  Conclusion 

  This legislative session has been a journey filled with significant wins and ongoing challenges. As we reflect on the progress we’ve made and the obstacles we’ve encountered, we’re reminded of the importance of persistence and collective action in effecting meaningful change. Moving forward, we’re fueled by the opportunity to continue growing the power of community to drive transformational change. Together, we’ll navigate the path ahead, guided by our shared vision of a more equitable, resilient, and nourishing food landscape for all. With each step we take, we’re one step closer to realizing this vision and building a brighter future for our communities. 

  News Articles from this Session:

  • CO families must sign up to get $120 per child for food through Summer EBT, Public News Service.
  • Colorado’s popular free school meals program faces a $50 million shortfall, jeopardizing local food grants, Denver Post.
  • No such thing as a free lunch: Colorado’s taxpayer-funded free lunch program’s short on cash, Next with Kyle Clark
  • Will there be another ballot measure to save Colorado’s free school meals program? Probably not., CPR.
  ]]> https://hungerfreecolorado.org/inside-hunger-free-colorados-lobby-day-practices-for-hsma-funding/ Fri, 19 Apr 2024 21:05:39 +0000 https://hungerfreecolorado.org/?p=14745 Hunger Free Colorado entered 2024 with a seemingly straightforward legislative agenda. Then, the session quickly transformed into an urgent call to action to support Healthy School Meals for All (HSMA) when we learned the program was facing a budget shortfall. The funding gap affects program components that were set to go into effect in the 2024-25 school year, including funding and technical assistance grants for schools to purchase and prepare local food and wage increases for food service professionals.

  News of the shortfall ignited advocates throughout the state, prompting Hunger Free Colorado to quickly mobilize and strategize next steps. Recently, our organizing and policy teams have been collaborating with organizational partners and community members to execute small lobby days at the state capitol. These lobbying efforts serve as an opportunity for constituents to connect with legislators to explain how HSMA has positively impacted their lives and communities and to demonstrate how every facet of the program is necessary in creating more sustainable and equitable food systems.

  But quickly mobilizing advocates from across the state to engage in effective face-to-face conversations with representatives is no easy task. The small but mighty organizing team, consisting of Erika Cervantes and Nicholas Marquez, employs a transformative organizing approach that centers community needs and prioritizes adaptability to meet community members where they are at—from all physical, cultural, and communal standpoints.

  Access to governmental spaces, such as the state capitol, have been historically inaccessible for many due to transportation, information, and language barriers, and on top of that, the intimidating bureaucratic atmosphere and procedures can be deterring. Cervantes and Marquez refuse to let these obstacles keep constituents from executing their democratic right to speak with their elected officials. In practice, this has involved scheduling lobby days at accommodating times, confirming access to transportation, distributing comprehensive toolkits, guiding individuals on how to engage in effective communication when given limited time with legislators, and guaranteeing that interpreters and interpretation devices are readily available for those who do not speak English as their primary language.

  The importance of interpreters and interpretation devices cannot be understated given that a majority of the advocates at HSMA lobby days are Spanish speaking. As an organization committed to language justice, Hunger Free Colorado is dedicated to ensuring that language barriers do not obstruct interactions between constituents and representatives and that everyone can speak from the language of their heart. Cervantes says that this, along with other accommodation practices, has allowed representatives to hear from constituents that might otherwise be scared to speak out of fear they might not be truly heard or understood.

  In fact, the necessary adaptability to varying individual and community circumstances and needs is mirrored throughout the HSMA program itself and remains one of its most championed features. While the program upholds the universal principle that all children eat for free, decisions around implementation, local procurement of healthy foods, meal choices, and scratch-cooking vary significantly across districts. Subsequently, the impact of funding shortfalls can also differ considerably. This further highlights the value of engaging a diverse array of constituents to demonstrate to legislators the extent of the program’s layers and depth, as well as the scope of benefits that come with fully funding the program.

  Working alongside groups such as the Safe and Abundant Nutrition Alliance (SANA), Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition (CSPC), and Edgewater School Meals Parent Committee, Hunger Free Colorado has conducted two lobby days and engaged numerous representatives in brief, informative conversations. Each discussion culminates with a pivotal, direct question: “Can we count on your support?” and yes, Cervantes and Marquez are keeping count.

   

  ]]> https://hungerfreecolorado.org/2024-policy-priorities/ Wed, 03 Jan 2024 21:50:37 +0000 https://hungerfreecolorado.org/?p=14285 On January 10th, Colorado lawmakers will convene at the state capitol for the start of the 2024 Legislative Session. This will begin the 120-day lawmaking period when state representatives and senators introduce, debate and pass new state laws and a Colorado state budget, called the Long Bill. We are thrilled that one of our main legislative priorities for this coming session was already passed during an extraordinary special session this past November: 

   

  Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (Summer EBT) 

  Governor Jared Polis signed a Summer EBT bill into law, following its passage during the 2023 special session. Summer EBT is a new federal program that will serve as an additional support for low-income households. Families with children eligible for national free or reduced-price school meals will be eligible to receive $40/month per eligible child in Summer 2024. Hunger Free Colorado, in partnership with the Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger, led advocacy on this important bill to pave the way for the program to launch this summer. We want to give a huge thank you to Governor Polis and the bill’s sponsors: Sen. Jeff Bridges, Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, Rep. Shannon Bird, and Rep. Lorena Garcia, as well as the Colorado Department of Human Services and Colorado Department of Education, and all the dedicated advocates, for their tireless work to make this new program happen. This bill will make a positive difference in the lives of over 300,000 Colorado children this coming summer! Check out our fact sheet to learn more about Summer EBT for Colorado children here. 

  During the regular 2024 Legislative Session, Hunger Free Colorado will continue to advocate for policies that strengthen an equitable food system and ensure all Coloradans can access the nutrition they need in their communities. We will be focusing on the following policy priorities, while also supporting our partners as they work on other policies to address Coloradans’ basic needs and well-being: 

   

  Food Pantry Assistance Grant Program 

  The Food Pantry Assistance Grant Program (FPAG) was established in 2018 with the goal of empowering communities in Colorado by providing crucial funding to food pantries throughout the state. Funding from this program enables food pantries to procure the nutrient-dense, local, and culturally relevant foods their communities want, and supports Colorado farmers and ranchers through local procurement. Our team is leading efforts to secure ongoing funding for the program so that food pantries can continue to offer locally sourced, culturally resonant foods to their communities to support community food access and choice and strengthen local food systems. 

  Healthy Food Incentives Fund 

  We will be supporting our friends at Nourish Colorado, as they seek permanent increased funding for the Healthy Food Incentive Fund, which supports the state’s Double Up Food Bucks program that brings in extra dollars for produce for SNAP participants. Permanent adequate funding for this program is important to ensuring that SNAP dollars can go further for SNAP participants and to make fruits and vegetables more accessible.  

  Time to Eat 

  We are joining a coalition led by our friends at Nourish Colorado and the Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger to improve nutrition access for students, by exploring options for giving students more time to eat school meals. The passage of Healthy School Meals for All in 2022 was a major victory for childhood nutrition, but we have heard from students, parents, cafeteria workers and other stakeholders that limited time to eat is a barrier for students.  

  You can help us make sure that lawmakers prioritize Coloradans facing hunger this session by signing up for our action alerts! We’ll let you know when lawmakers are considering impactful policies and when there are opportunities to advocate and make your voice heard to support strengthening equitable food systems in our state. 

  ]]> https://hungerfreecolorado.org/a-look-back-on-our-2023-achievements/ Tue, 19 Dec 2023 21:52:25 +0000 https://hungerfreecolorado.org/?p=14156 Hotline, SNAP PEAS, & Mobile Outreach

  Throughout 2023, our Client Services team made remarkable strides in advancing our mission to end hunger. Our Hotline staff worked tirelessly to connect Coloradans to food resources and access SNAP benefits, navigating through an average of 250-300 calls each day. This year, the team adjusted their hours of operation to enhance community support.

  As of this year, our SNAP PEAS (Partners Engaging in Application Services) team has secured over 50+ PEAS and introduced a self-paced learning platform for deepening SNAP knowledge and fostering connections among PEAS members.

  Additionally, the Mobile Outreach team assisted clients on sites located in metro Denver, Loveland, Aurora and beyond, helping over 2,700 people in-person. They also expanded into new areas, most notably low-income communities in Jefferson County. This year saw the continuation of the team’s groundbreaking work with health care institutions such as Denver Health, offering direct assistance, referrals, and co-enrollment support for SNAP and WIC.

  Through these combined efforts, more than 28,500 families were assisted applying for SNAP benefits this fiscal year—an estimated 57,600 individuals and $52.5 million in benefits.

  Policy

  In 2023, our policy team engaged in high-impact legislative and regulatory advocacy to secure food access for Colorado households. This encompassed collaborative efforts with hunger advocates and emergency food providers to secure a $14 million state funding boost from the legislature for local food pantries and food banks to close gaps resulting from the end of SNAP pandemic aid. Additionally, the team partnered with Nourish Colorado to secure an extra $500,000 in funding for SNAP Outreach. Actively working to advance impactful policy change through the Farm Bill, our policy staff advocated for measures such as the Hot Foods Act, which is now being championed by Colorado Senator Michael Bennet. Most recently, their advocacy and organizing efforts have led to the successful passage of Summer-EBT in Colorado meaning that families with children eligible for national free or reduced-price school meals will be eligible to receive $40/month per eligible child in Summer 2024.

  Organizing

  Throughout the year, our Organizing Team has been tirelessly engaged in community-building and advocacy efforts across Colorado. They conducted 13 in-person listening and education sessions for Healthy School Meals for All (HSMA) and six virtual sessions. Their eight outreach events focused on facilitating community dialogue around HSMA. The impact of these efforts was evident as 187 eligible Colorado school districts opted into the program. The team played a pivotal role in three national HSMA events as dozens of states began drafting legislation for universal school meals this year, with 5 states passing HSMA and our team providing direct support to Nevada’s campaign. They also directly supported partners in lobby day events, HSMA grant applications, passing Summer EBT, and in laying the groundwork for legislation around expanding the time to eat.

  Development

  Our development team worked hard this year to secure funding that fuels our mission. This year, they held several successful fundraising events, including the annual Hike to End Hunger which saw participation from over 250 community members. They also gained Hunger Free Colorado distinction as the local nonprofit partner for Sushi Den’s annual Summer Rooftop Party this September. Furthermore, the team successfully cultivated support and contributions from Colorado-based grocery retailers, financial firms and institutions, hospital systems, insurance companies, and many other businesses giving back for the collective good. Generous musicians, an intrepid cyclist biking for a cause, and M.A.D. Friends joined in helping raise funds to support our mission, in addition to over 500 individual donors in 2023. The team also worked diligently to secure grants from Colorado foundations and is actively pursuing the $1 million Yield Giving Open Call opportunity.

  Operations

  Our Operations Team conducted a thoughtful search for a new office space this 2023, and we’re thrilled to announce that they’ve discovered an exceptional new office situated in the Elyria-Swansea neighborhood of Denver. Excitingly, we will be in the same building as two other organizations that share our dedication to building better food systems. The transition to this space is scheduled for March 2024!

  Communications

  Our communications team worked to advance access to our materials and publications through bilingual newsletters, social posts and designed pieces. Additionally, many of our 2023 highlights and accomplishments were showcased across various renowned news sources and publications throughout the year with insight gained from interviews with our staff.

  Here are some highlights: Healthy School Meals for All – The Gazette, SNAP Card Skimming – Yahoo! Finance, Hot Foods Act – FOX31, FPAG Grant – Denver Post

  ___________________________________________________

  Español

  Línea directa, SNAP PEAS y alcance comunitario móvil

  A lo largo de 2023, nuestro equipo de Atención al Cliente logró avances notables en el avance de nuestra misión de acabar con el hambre. El personal de nuestra línea directa trabajó incansablemente para conectar a los habitantes de Colorado con recursos alimentarios y acceder a los beneficios de SNAP, atendiendo un promedio de 250 a 300 llamadas cada día. Este año, el equipo ajustó sus horarios de atención para mejorar el apoyo de la comunidad.

  A partir de este año, nuestro equipo de SNAP PEAS (Partners Engaging in Application Services) ha conseguido más de 50 PEAS e introducido una plataforma de aprendizaje a su propio ritmo para profundizar el conocimiento de SNAP y fomentar conexiones entre los miembros de PEAS.

  Además, el equipo de Mobile Outreach (Alcance Comunitario Móvil) ayudó a clientes en sitios ubicados en el área metropolitana de Denver, Loveland, Aurora y más allá, ayudando en persona a más de 2700 personas. También se expandieron a nuevas áreas, sobre todo a comunidades de bajos ingresos en el condado de Jefferson. Este año se vio la continuación del trabajo innovador del equipo con instituciones de atención médica como Denver Health, ofreciendo asistencia directa, referencias y apoyo de co-inscripción para SNAP y WIC.

  A través de estos esfuerzos combinados, más de 28.500 familias recibieron ayuda para solicitar beneficios de SNAP este año fiscal: aproximadamente 57.600 personas y $52.5 millones en beneficios.

  Políticas públicas

  En 2023, nuestro equipo de políticas participó en una promoción legislativa y regulatoria de alto impacto para garantizar el acceso a los alimentos para los hogares de Colorado. Esas gestiones incluyeron colaboración con defensores comunitarios contara el hambre y proveedores de alimentos de emergencia para asegurar un impulso de financiación estatal de $14 millones de la legislatura para despensas y bancos de alimentos locales para cerrar las brechas resultantes del fin de la ayuda pandémica de SNAP. Además, el equipo se asoció con Nourish Colorado para asegurar $500.000 adicionales en fondos para SNAP Outreach. Trabajando activamente para promover cambios de políticas impactantes a través de la Ley Agrícola, nuestro personal de políticas abogó por medidas como la Ley de Alimentos Calientes, que ahora está siendo defendida por el Senador de Colorado Michael Bennet. Más recientemente, sus esfuerzos de promoción y organización han llevado a la aprobación exitosa del EBT de Verano en Colorado.

  Organización comunitaria

  A lo largo del año, nuestro equipo organizador ha estado involucrado incansablemente en esfuerzos de promoción y construcción de comunidades en todo Colorado. Llevaron a cabo 13 sesiones de escucha y educación en persona sobre Comidas Escolares Saludables para Todos (HSMA) y seis sesiones virtuales. Sus ocho eventos de divulgación se centraron en facilitar el diálogo comunitario en torno a HSMA. El impacto de estos esfuerzos fue evidente cuando 187 distritos escolares elegibles de Colorado optaron por participar en el programa. El equipo jugó un papel fundamental en tres eventos nacionales de HSMA cuando docenas de estados comenzaron a redactar legislación para comidas escolares universales este año, cinco estados aprobaron HSMA y nuestro equipo brindó apoyo directo a la campaña de Nevada. También apoyaron directamente a los socios en eventos del día del lobby, solicitudes de subvenciones de HSMA, aprobación del EBT de verano y en el establecimiento de las bases para la legislación sobre la ampliación del tiempo para comer.

  Desarrollo

  Nuestro equipo de desarrollo trabajó arduamente este año para asegurar la financiación que impulse nuestra misión. Este año, celebraron varios eventos exitosos de recaudación de fondos, incluida Hike to End Hunger (caminata anual contra el hambre), en la que participaron más de 250 miembros de la comunidad. También obtuvieron la distinción Hunger Free Colorado como socio local sin fines de lucro para la fiesta anual de verano en la azotea de Sushi Den en septiembre. Además, el equipo cultivó con éxito el apoyo y las contribuciones de minoristas de comestibles, empresas e instituciones financieras, sistemas hospitalarios, compañías de seguros y muchas otras empresas con sede en Colorado que contribuyen al bien colectivo. Músicos generosos, un ciclista intrépido que anda en bicicleta por una causa y Amigos de M.A.D. se unieron para ayudar a recaudar fondos para apoyar nuestra misión, además de más de 500 donantes individuales en 2023. El equipo también trabajó diligentemente para obtener subvenciones de fundaciones de Colorado y está buscando activamente la oportunidad de convocatoria abierta de Yield Giving por $1 millón.

  Operaciones

  Nuestro equipo de operaciones llevó a cabo una cuidadosa búsqueda de un nuevo espacio para oficinas este 2023 y estamos encantados de anunciar que descubrieron una nueva oficina excepcional situada en el vecindario Elyria-Swansea de Denver. Es emocionante saber que estaremos en el mismo edificio que otras dos organizaciones que comparten nuestra dedicación a construir mejores sistemas alimentarios. La transición a este espacio está prevista para marzo de 2024.

  Comunicaciones

  Nuestro equipo de comunicaciones trabajó para avanzar en el acceso a nuestros materiales y publicaciones a través de cartas noticiosas bilingües, publicaciones en redes sociales y piezas diseñadas. Además, muchos de nuestros aspectos más destacados y logros de 2023 se publicaron de manera destacada en varias fuentes de noticias y publicaciones de renombre a lo largo del año con información obtenida de entrevistas con nuestro personal.

  Estas son algunas de las historias destacadas: Healthy School Meals for All – The Gazette, SNAP Card Skimming – Yahoo! Finance, Hot Foods Act – FOX31, FPAG Grant – Denver Post

  ]]> https://hungerfreecolorado.org/electronic-theft-of-snap/ Mon, 28 Aug 2023 18:47:52 +0000 https://hungerfreecolorado.org/?p=13676 Relief is now available for Colorado victims, but work remains to address card security and skimming.

  Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants receive their benefits each month on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which looks and functions like a debit card. EBT cards, like traditional debit cards, can be vulnerable to certain forms of electronic theft.  

  Skimming Theft 

  Skimming is a type of electronic theft that occurs when a criminal places a device on a point-of-sale terminal (where shoppers scan their card to make a purchase), and the device allows the criminal to capture the card’s data and PIN information. The criminal then uses that information to clone the card and access the benefits in the card holder’s account. Unfortunately, card skimming is a form of crime that has impacted EBT card holders in Colorado and throughout the US in recent years. 

  Short-term Relief for Victims of Electronic Theft 

  Skimming and other forms of electronic theft have existed for decades, but SNAP participants have been especially harmed by an increase in skimming affecting EBT card holders in recent years. This is the case for a few reasons. First, EBT cards do not have the most up to date technology (like chips or touchless technology) and are easier to skim than private bank cards. Second, while private bank cards are protected through standard consumer protections, EBT cards are not. Until recently, it was not possible for SNAP participants whose benefits were stolen to have those benefits replaced.  

  With a rise in skimming theft affecting SNAP participants, Hunger Free Colorado and advocates across the country urged Congress to develop protections for SNAP participants, as we believe SNAP households should be able to use their EBT cards without having to worry about their benefits getting stolen.  Thanks to statewide and national advocacy, Congress included a temporary measure to address this problem in the 2022 year-end omnibus spending bill.  The change allows for the replacement of up to two month’s worth of benefits stolen through different types of electronic theft, dating back to October 1,2022 and until September 30, 2024. 

  If you believe you have been a victim of benefits theft, click here to learn more.  

  We Need a Long-Term Solution to Electronic Theft  

  While we are grateful for the temporary relief to SNAP households who are victims of electronic theft, we still have work to do! The current protections expire in September 30, 2024, at which point stolen benefits will no longer be eligible for replacement. We need to make sure that SNAP households whose benefits are stolen through no fault of their own do not have to endure the destabilizing effect of losing months of their grocery budget.  

  At Hunger Free Colorado, we are urging our legislators to include protections for EBT card holders in the upcoming Farm Bill, which authorizes and funds SNAP. We need to ensure that SNAP participants who are victims of this type of theft can have their benefits replaced into the future. We also need to improve EBT card technology with input from SNAP participants, to make it harder for criminals to steal from low-income households. 

  We will have opportunities for you to take action soon, so check back regularly. If you’d like to learn more about our Farm Bill advocacy, click here. 

   

  ]]> https://hungerfreecolorado.org/response-to-supreme-court-rulings-2023/ Thu, 13 Jul 2023 17:57:20 +0000 https://hungerfreecolorado.org/?p=13501 Supreme Court Fails to Uphold Navajo Nation’s Water Rights – Arizona v. Navajo Nation

  On June 22, 2023, the Supreme Court declined to enforce the United States’ responsibility for the water rights it holds in trust for the Navajo Nation in the Colorado River. Although the Court acknowledged that tribal nations have water rights, it ruled that there was no requirement to secure or identify the necessary water resources for the reservation, ultimately excluding Navajo citizens from receiving a share of water that is inherently theirs.

  Hunger Free Colorado is deeply dismayed by this ruling and stands in solidarity with our indigenous siblings in the fight for sovereignty. Indigenous communities are the true stewards and protectors of the land on which we reside, and we bear a moral obligation to speak out against the immeasurable injustices they continue to face. We urge our partners, advocates, policy makers, and community members to unite in solidarity with indigenous communities in response to this ruling and to maintain unwavering commitment to support indigenous rights.

  Supreme Court’s Reversal of Affirmative Action – Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College

  On June 29^th, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority overturned affirmative action in college admissions, a policy aimed at promoting equal opportunities for historically marginalized and underrepresented groups in higher education.

  Hunger Free Colorado strongly opposes this recent reversal of affirmative action, recognizing the significant threat it poses to the progress made in addressing systemic racial inequalities and promoting diversity, not just in higher education, but across all systems rooted in white supremacy, including our food systems.

  The principles at the core of affirmative action closely align with the values necessary for achieving food sovereignty and justice. Historically marginalized communities that are disproportionately affected by food insecurity due to racist systems hold immense power in reshaping existing foundations into equitable systems for all, especially when given equal opportunities to thrive in higher education. It is crucial that their transformative potential remain unimpeded by the rigid barriers imposed by a ruling class entrenched in white supremacy.

  Supreme Court’s Ruling Impacting LGBT Protections – 303 Creative LLC et al. v. Elenis et al.

  On June 30^th, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority ruled that the constitutional right to free speech allows certain businesses to deny services for same-sex couples. This ruling emerged from a case in Colorado, where a web designer challenged the state’s anti-discrimination law which prohibits public businesses from refusing goods or services based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion. The plaintiff argued that the case targeted messages, not people, with the intention of enabling business owners to express themselves creatively by refusing certain messages.

  However, critics have reasoned that the distinction between message and status is not clear-cut, and dissenting liberal justices have warned of the ruling’s ripple effects, calling the decision a “license to discriminate.” Hunger Free Colorado expresses deep dismay over the harm this ruling brings to the LGBT community and aligns with and supports the dissenting justices. We share their concern that the ruling’s broad interpretation could exclude other groups (such as interracial couples or disabled people, among others) from many crucial services, including food services.

  Hunger Free Colorado calls on policymakers, advocates, and community members to unite in denouncing discrimination and upholding the values of equity and inclusion. We believe that no one should be denied services based on their race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion.

  Supreme Court Blocks Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan – Biden, President of the United States, et al. v. Nebraska et al.

  On June 30th, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority blocked Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan, which had the potential to benefit around 43 million individuals by forgiving up to $10,000 in federal student debt for Americans making under $125,000/year. Hunger Free Colorado expresses disappointment over this ruling, seeing it as a missed opportunity to address the interrelationship between student loan debt and food security.

  Student loan debt can have a significant impact on an individual’s purchasing power, sometimes forcing them to make difficult choices regarding how they allocate limited funds which can result in compromises between necessities like medications and food. Alleviating the burden of student loan debt has the potential to provide individuals with more disposable income, enabling them to prioritize and afford healthier food options.

  Biden has since proposed new measures to address student debt relief under the Higher Education Act. We urge the Biden Administration to address the intricate relationship between debt and food security, along with other financial strains, and pursue an alternative path to student loan forgiveness that could provide much-needed relief in these areas.

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