DENVER — With hundreds of thousands of Coloradans set to lose their food benefits on Saturday, recipients are turning to online groups for help.
In recent days, Denverites have started a “grocery buddy” movement on Facebook groups to support neighbors struggling with the lapse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the government shutdown.
The issue stems from a ruling in Massachusetts, which came after about two dozen states, including Colorado, sued the federal government. The states argued that the Agriculture Department’s plan to halt all SNAP payments starting November 1 would unlawfully cut off aid to millions of low-income families.
The Agriculture Department had maintained that it could not legally tap contingency funds to keep the program running. However, the judge disagreed and ordered the agency to report back by Monday on how it will fund benefits. Under this ruling, payments could still be temporarily reduced depending on available funds.
Around the same time the Massachusetts decision was issued, a federal judge in Rhode Island delivered a similar ruling from the bench. That case was brought by cities and nonprofit groups, and the court likewise found that the administration must use available funds to continue providing benefits.
It’s not immediately clear how soon the judges’ decisions will take effect, but food banks warn that people they serve will still feel the impact.
“Even if this ruling holds up, SNAP recipients may not see that money for at least a week or a week and a half, depending on how the judge’s ruling works,” explained Aditi Desai, Chief Marketing Officer for Food Bank of the Rockies.
In response to the increased need, the Food Bank of the Rockies has ordered an extra 30 truckloads of food for November.
“We’re going to do our best to meet this moment. But again, there might be a gap that even we can’t fill right now,” said Desai.
That’s where the power of community comes in—to help fill that gap.
“It really makes me happy seeing everyone come together and help each other,” said Ravencroft, a local resident involved in the grocery buddy effort.
“I think, you know, the people who are able to step up are stepping up. And I think that’s just another example of Denver being so awesome,” added Henrickson.
### Food Assistance Resources for Coloradans
Those in need of food assistance can access support through the following resources:
– **Food Bank of the Rockies** (serving several counties)
– **Arapahoe County**
– **Douglas County**
– **Weld County**
– **Larimer County**
The governor’s office also suggests Coloradans call **211** or **(866) 760-5489**, or visit the [211 Colorado website](https://www.211colorado.org).
Additional resources are available through the [Feeding Colorado website](https://feedingcolorado.org), or by emailing [email protected].
For the most up-to-date information on SNAP and food resources, [click here](#).
—
*Reported by Ryan Fish, Denver7*
https://www.denver7.com/news/front-range/denver/coloradans-using-facebook-groups-to-help-neighbors-ahead-of-snap-benefit-freeze
