APRIL 2016
 
State bill aims to improve administration of food stamps
Hunger Free Colorado's top priority during the 2016 state legislative session has been fixing food stamps. That's because Colorado ranks 45th in the U.S. for access to food stamps and the state also loses more than $686,000,000 in grocery sales annually -- funds that could help Coloradans in need as well as boost our state's economy.

On Tuesday, April 19, the State Senate introduced bipartisan legislation, sponsored by the Joint Budget Committee, that will significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of food assistance across Colorado. The bill has been assigned to the Senate Appropriations Committee, with its hearing scheduled for Friday, April 22.

Senate Bill 16-190 will clarify the expectations for the administration of the program and create incentives for meeting and exceeding the federal standards for the timely and accurate processing of food stamp applications. It will also authorize a study of how the counties can implement best practices to increase their efficiency and effectiveness in a number of public assistance programs and the support they will need from the State and each other to do so.

SB 16-190 has been closely negotiated by Republicans and Democrats, with   strong support from a diverse array of stakeholders, including food banks and food pantries, Colorado counties, and health, agricultural, senior-focused and faith-based groups. It aligns closely with the addition of three critical staff for the state Food Assistance office that the Joint Budget Committee included in next year's state budget. The addition of a program manager, a fiscal manager and a performance analyst will have a tremendous impact on the state's capacity to support the counties in administering food stamps.

Learn more about SB 16-190 and contact your state legislators, asking them to support this important bill.
 
Food stamp "time limit" rule impacts Coloradans
More than 38,000 Coloradans could lose their food stamp benefits due to a "time limit" rule.

Food stamps, federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), helps provide eligible people of all ages, backgrounds and zip codes with funds to purchase groceries. Due to federal regulations of the program, some adults known as Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) now can only get food stamp benefits for three months during a three-year period, unless they meet specific exemptions or requirements.

This federal "time limit" went into effect across Colorado on January 1, 2016, meaning those who do not meet the exemptions or requirements could have had their food stamp benefits discontinued as early as April 1, 2016.

Learn more about this rule and who is impacted, as well as resources available for individuals and organizations.
 
 
Other News & Events
New Senior Vice President Joins Hunger Free Colorado

We are pleased to announce and welcome Vikki O'Neil into the newly created role of Senior Vice President. This follows the promotion of Kathy Underhill from Executive Director to CEO of Hunger Free Colorado.

O'Neil brings with her more than 20 years of executive leadership experience, including seven years with the Douglas County Department of Human Services.

"The depth and breadth of Vikki's experience across the government, nonprofit and corporate sectors, will help propel us forward," said Kathy Underhill. "Additionally, the deep understanding of county-level government and local control she brings will be an invaluable asset to our staff and operations."

Read more on our blog. 
 
Release of 2015
Annual Impact Report

We recently released our 2015 Annual Impact Report, which provides a snapshot of our work from July 1, 2015, through June 30, 2015.

Some of year's highlights include connecting more Coloradans to needed food resources; the successful Colorado Campaign to End Childhood Hunger;  the enactment of the Colorado Charitable Crop Donation Act; and the expansion of Hunger Through My Lens to other regions of the state.
 
Thanks to all who contributed to the progress made last year, and we look forward to your support in 2016 and beyond. 

View the 2015 Annual Impact Report, and
visit our website for a more complete look at our organizational efforts.

Recognizing Jane Brand
  
Congratulations to Jane Brand! This week, the former director of the Colorado Department of Education's Office of School Nutrition joined the USDA as Division Director of the Supplemental Nutrition Programs for the Mountain Plains Region. As she enters her new role, we want to thank Jane for the commitment she showed to improve and strengthen child nutrition programs in Colorado.  
 
Colorado made great strides under her leadership at CDE, as she increased the capacity and expertise of the Office of School Nutrition. As a state, we moved from 44th to 11th in the nation for school breakfast participation among low-income students. Additionally, Jane successfully oversaw the implementation of the 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act and expanded the summer meal program for kids and teens. 
 
Thank you, Jane, for helping set up more Colorado kids for success!
Celebrating Our Volunteers!
 
In honor of National Volunteer Appreciation Month, we want to recognize all of our volunteers for helping us create a hunger-free Colorado
 
Volunteers connect people directly to food resources and programs by taking calls on the Hunger Free Hotline, participating in live call centers, and assisting those applying for benefits at a county human services office. 
 
Other volunteers serve as advocates, helping  raising awareness about the issue and solutions surrounding hunger. They participate in Hunger Through My Lens, serve on our board of directors, educate their community members and take action in many other ways.
 
Thank you to all who volunteer their time and play a vital role in ensuring all Coloradans have access to the food need to thrive!
 
How You Can Take Action


Commit to making a difference. Join today!

Join Our Action Network  

What's happening at the State Capitol and on Capitol Hill? Sign up for our legislative alerts!

We'll notify you when lawmakers are considering bills and other proposals that impact the nearly 1 in 7 Coloradans who struggle with hunger. With our easy-to-use online advocacy center, you can tell elected officials where you stand on those issues.
Connect More Coloradans
to Food Resources

 

Our statewide, bilingual hotline connects Coloradans to food resources in just one confidential call. Share the Hunger Free Hotline with others who may be in need of food assistance or groups that provide services to their community.   

 

Supporting a Hunger-free Colorado
 
Thanks to the Schlessman Family Foundation for their generous contribution! 
Their support helps us continue our innovative work to ensure no Coloradan goes hungry.
  
Hunger Free Colorado, a statewide nonprofit organization launched in 2009, connects
families and individuals to food resources and fuels change in systems,
policies and social views, so no Coloradan goes hungry.