BOULDER, Colo. (KDVR) — More than 41 million people who depend on food assistance in the U.S. could be affected by the recent cancellation of hundreds of thousands of dollars for food banks.
Now, the government shutdown could add additional hardship to those who are struggling.
The Harvest of Hope Pantry in Boulder usually distributes 300,000 pounds of food per year, but the need is now at more than a million pounds of food for those struggling to make ends meet.
“The economic uncertainty means that the need has just grown substantially,” Executive Director Chad Molter told FOX31.
Molter says the government shutdown now adds to the effect of previous cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the largest funding reduction in the program’s history.
“They are concerned about being able to make ends meet, you know, ‘how do I pay my bills, how do I pay my medical bills, how do I pay for childcare and still have room in my budget for food?’” he said.
Approximately 80% of U.S. households that receive SNAP benefits include children, a disabled person, or older adult. People with disabilities are more likely to be food insecure, according to the American Association of People with Disabilities.
Harvest of Hope volunteer Adrian tells FOX31 she takes great pride in helping those who have nowhere else to turn when they need enough food to feed their families.
“It is about making the people that come in here feel dignity, feel valued, feel supported,” she said.
Adrian understands the challenges those in need face each day after surviving on the streets herself for three years as a result of losing her job after the pandemic.
“It’s very scary being on the street sometimes (you) don’t really feel like you can fit in anywhere or that people see you as a valuable member of society,” she said.
She reflected on people who helped her during her lowest point in life and wants to pay it forward to others.
“They would say, ‘Are you unhoused? Are you hungry? That happened quite often, so people helping people has been the most important thing,” she said.
Senator Michael Bennet will host a virtual roundtable with food banks across Colorado on Oct. 15 to discuss the growing need for assistance.
Donations and information about opportunities to volunteer can be found on the Harvest of Hope Pantry website here.
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
