Broadway Assistance Center 

A few months ago, "Mr. Nelson" visited Boulder's Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA).  He and his wife are raising their four grandchildren who are under ten; Mrs. Nelson has a job, but her limited income does not cover the cost of supporting a family of six.  The family found themselves needing help to get by, and were able to leave EFAA with several bags of groceries filled with pasta, canned goods, vegetables, and chili.

A variety of circumstances push people to access food pantries.  Local nonprofits report that demand for services continues to rise at rates of 30% or more.  People are losing their jobs, having a hard time accessing food stamp benefits, experiencing a health crisis, taking care of a relative's children, or just having their hours cut at work and finding that their reduced wages can't cover all their expenses - including food.

Because of these pressures, The Denver Foundation has activated its Critical Needs Fund - Hunger Relief Effort twice in the last year to help families like the Nelsons.

Thanks to the support of dozens of generous donor advisors, the Anschutz Foundation, the Buell Foundation, and other funders, our Critical Needs Fund - Hunger Relief Effort has helped alleviate the pressure on overwhelmed frontline organizations feeding the hungry.  The first round of grants went to food programs in late January, and the second round went out in June.  We hope the most recent round of grants will help food pantries meet the influx of clients, including families with increased needs because their children don't benefit from free school lunches over the summer.

In total, the Critical Needs Fund - Hunter Relief Effort has provided over $710,000 to food pantries, soup kitchens, churches, and other nonprofit organizations that feed the most vulnerable residents in our community.

Jewish Family Service, another Critical Needs Fund grantee, shared the story of "Sara," a married mother of three daughters who first came to their food pantry in March.  Her husband recently lost his position in the technology field after the company closed.  They are now behind on their mortgage payments and concerned about losing their home.  Both Sara and her husband are looking for work, but have not yet found positions.  Sara, like many others who come to food pantries, said that she never pictured herself in this situation, and has in the past donated goods and time to food pantries.  Due to the economic downturn, more people are in need of assistance, and many are first time clients.

An estimated 17.2% of children under 18 in Colorado are, like Sara's children, classified as food insecure, and need support to obtain adequate, nutritious food.

Many families who are accessing food pantries are eligible for food stamp assistance, but experience long waits to access benefits.  The State of Colorado is 49th in food stamp participation and 52nd in food stamp processing times.  The Denver Foundation is exploring how it can help eligible families obtain benefits, thus drawing down already available federal dollars that provide a strong stimulus in local economies.

The staff and Board of The Denver Foundation know that hunger is a symptom of deeper issues of poverty.  The Foundation will continue to promote long-term solutions through ongoing grantmaking efforts and by meeting with community leaders, and remains committed to supporting people who are hungry today.  Please visit www.denverfoundation.org for updates on the Foundation's efforts and to find out how you can get involved.