The Governor’s Office, Colorado Department of Human Services, and Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger have come together to announce the distribution of $2,611,500 in funding from the State of Colorado to 88 emergency food assistance providers. Eighty-three food pantries are receiving a combined total of $1 million, with $1,611,500 allocated to the five Feeding Colorado food banks and their hunger-relief partners across the state.

Here are Southeastern Colorado’s awarded grantees in alphabetical order (covering Baca, Bent, Cheyenne, Crowley, Kiowa, Kit Caron, Las Animas, Lincoln, Otero and Prowers): Care & Share Food Bank of Southern Colorado, Las Animas School District RE-1, Mt. Carmel Wellness & Community Center, Prairie Family Center and Small Town Project.

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Earlier this year, the state legislature’s Joint Budget Committee and Governor Jared Polis allocated $3 million in funding for food assistance over the next five years through House Bill 2024-1407. The Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger administers the grant program, in partnership with the Colorado Department of Human Services.

“Thanks to partnerships, like the one we have with the Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger, children and families are able to get nutritious food when they need it the most and right in their own communities," said Kathy Underhill, food distribution programs manager at the Colorado Department of Human Services. “This critical State funding makes sure Coloradans have the resources they need to thrive.”

The Community Food Grants program provides funding to qualifying food pantries and food banks, specifically for the procurement and distribution of healthy, culturally relevant foods, while also championing local agriculture. With these funds, food pantries can acquire and distribute food directly to individuals and families as aligned with community needs and priorities. Similarly, food banks can buy food in bulk and distribute the entirety of their grant purchases to food pantries across the state.

“Our network of five regional food banks and over 1,200 partner agencies reach every county in Colorado,” said Mandy Nuku, executive director of Feeding Colorado. “Amid unprecedented access to our services, we’re grateful for the opportunity to provide more food through this State funding to our hunger-relief partners, who serve their local communities day in and day out.”

Grants are intended to purchase meat, dairy and fresh produce from local farmers, ranchers and producers. They also aim to expand access to foods that meet the diverse tastes and needs of community members based on their cultural identity and/or spirituality.

“This State funding allows us to invest in local solutions to local problems, so everyone can access the food they choose, where they want it, and when they need it,” shared Joël McClurg, executive director of systems for the Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger. “By shifting power to our communities, we’re creating more responsive, equitable and sustainable food systems across Colorado.”

The 2024 - 2025 grant cycle was competitive and open to Colorado-based food pantries. More than 240 food pantries applied, with requests ranging from $5,000 - $50,000. Collectively, applicants sought nearly $7.2 million in funding, with the average grant request amounting to $30,162.57 per applicant.