With the suspension of federal SNAP benefits for the month of November, food pantries across Southwest Colorado are preparing for an unprecedented surge in need. Regional partners are urging community members to prioritize monetary donations over food donations to help feed families during this critical time.
“This suspension will leave thousands of local households without the resources they depend on to buy groceries,” said Briggen Wrinkle, executive director at the Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado. “Our regional food pantries are already seeing major increases in demand, and monetary donations allow them to respond faster and more effectively than food donations.”
Recent data from Durango Food Bank’s "Regional Partner Food Pantry Report" highlights a dramatic uptick in need. Pagosa Springs pantries are seeing 20–50 percent weekly increases in household visits. Durango Food Bank has reported a 64 percent week-over-week increase, and Manna’s community market visits grew from 978 in August to 1,152 in September.
Food drives are greatly appreciated; however, funds make a larger impact as local food banks purchase directly from distributors at wholesale prices and are exempt from sales tax, every $1 donated can provide $5 to $7 worth of food.
Monetary donations also:
The Community Foundation and the Good Food Collective are working together to make bulk purchases to distribute across the five counties of Southwest Colorado.
Right now, most pantries are operating week to week, with perishable items like milk, eggs and meat being the hardest to keep in stock. Monetary donations allow for immediate purchase and distribution of these essential items.
Residents can make an immediate impact to feed local families by donating online at https://cfssc.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=3277. Donations will provide immediate support to food access providers in Southwest Colorado including Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma and San Juan counties, and the Ute Mtn Ute and Southern Ute Indian tribes.
Funds will be distributed quickly and equitably with oversight by county-level advisory groups made up of experts on the ground, the Community Foundation and the Good Food Collective.
