We are reaching out with deep concern that more than 4,300 individuals in our region could lose access to SNAP benefits next week if the government shutdown continues. This isn’t an abstract policy issue; it’s a reality that could leave thousands of families in our region, from Aspen to Parachute, struggling to put food on the table.
SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, helps individuals and families afford groceries, ensuring consistent access to healthy, nourishing food. For many, it’s the difference between stability and crisis, especially for children, seniors, and working families already facing high costs of living.
These are our neighbors, our children’s classmates, the people who care for our aging parents, and the workers who keep our communities running. The ripple effects reach all of us.
When SNAP benefits stop, we collectively face more food insecurity and there is more pressure on the nonprofits and food banks that are already running at full tilt.
At the Aspen Community Foundation (ACF), we’ve established a Food Security Fund so donors can give now and we can rapidly distribute support to local organizations meeting urgent needs.
You may also choose to give directly to frontline nonprofits doing this work every day. Trusted partners in our region include (listed alphabetically):
Here’s how you can help today:
- Give directly to one of the nonprofit partners listed and linked above.
- If you are unsure where to give, donate to ACF’s Food Security Fund so we can help deploy resources where they’re needed most.
- Volunteer your time or connect with a local food bank, family resource center, or pantry.
- Check in on your neighbor or coworker; sometimes a simple “How are you doing?” makes all the difference.
Thank you for your compassion, your partnership, and your willingness to stand with our region when the pressure is highest.
