AURORA, Colo. — The Salvation Army Aurora saw a 100% increase in demand this week as SNAP recipients prepare to go without their November benefits due to the ongoing government shutdown.
Denver7 has been listening to community concerns all week over the uncertainty surrounding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps low-income families purchase food. The program feeds about 600,000 Coloradans each month, half of whom are children.
Read our previous coverage below:
- SNAP benefits now on hold for November in Colorado due to government shutdown, officials say
- Gov. Polis requests $10 million to support food banks after lapse in SNAP benefits for the month of November
- Coloradans turn to food banks with SNAP benefits on hold for November
On Friday, Denver7 visited The Salvation Army Aurora Corps, where normally stocked shelves are now visibly bare.
"It's insane to see what we're seeing right now," said executive director Carl Esquivel. "The desperation is real."
The pantry typically serves 60 to 80 families per day, but demand has doubled this week.
"We are already depleting resources all the way to December," Esquivel said. "This is our attempt of getting the story out there that food pantries, not just ours, but many even smaller food pantries, right, are struggling to be able to meet the needs of our community."
State officials demand federal action
As the government shutdown continues, attorneys general across the country, including Colorado's Attorney General Phil Weiser, are raising concerns about the situation.
"There's a lot on the line," said Weiser. "We should be doing everything we can to provide food, and that's not what the Agriculture Department is doing here. They're doing the opposite."
Weiser and 22 other attorneys general sent a letter to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on Friday, demanding clarity on how the USDA plans to proceed after notifying states that funding for SNAP may lapse soon due to the government shutdown.
- Read the letter below
Weiser said the USDA should tap into its $6 billion contingency fund to cover benefits for November.
"I'm at a loss," Weiser told Denver7. "I'm pained by what's happening. I'm demanding answers."
How you can help
The Salvation Army is asking for donations of canned and dry goods. You can drop off your donations at the following locations:
Aurora Corps
- Address: 802 Quari Court in Aurora
- Food donations may be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
- The food pantry is open 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
Denver Citadel Corps
- Address: 4505 W. Alameda Avenue in Denver
- Food donations may be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- The food pantry is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Centennial Corps
- Address: 3900 E. Arapahoe Road in Centennial
- Food donations may be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays.
- The food pantry is open 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The Salvation Army said the following food items are needed:
- Soup
- Corn
- Green beans
- Black beans
- Tuna
- Chili
- Spaghetti
- Rotini
- Macaroni
- Linguine
- Rice
- Cereal
Denver7 Gives has launched a campaign to help those struggling with food insecurity amid the government shutdown. To donate, use the form below and select "Help Fight Food Insecurity" from the drop-down menu.
