Information about food assistance in our community

As some of you may already know, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are set to expire on Nov. 1 due to the federal government shutdown. SNAP benefits are sometimes referred to as “food stamps.” In our district, approximately 6,600 students directly benefit from SNAP assistance.

We want to provide you with information about the resources that are available to students and families in our schools and in our community. 

School Resources

While school is in session, we are able to provide the following resources to students:

• Free breakfast and lunch is served at all schools, including vending-machine meal access at both FutureForward campuses. Pathways Future Center School partners with the Student and Family Outreach Program and Food for Hope to provide resources to its students.
• Share tables: In our cafeterias, we have “share tables,” where students place items that they did not eat or drink (such as produce and unopened containers of milk). These are available every school day during and at the end of lunch. Any student can take items from this table. All food that isn’t taken and is safe to return goes back into our Nutrition Services inventory. 
• Families can apply for Free and Reduced Benefits at any time: Although school meals are free, eligibility for Free and Reduced Benefits may also open access to discounted internet and other benefits. 
• Families who are currently not receiving a paycheck due to the shutdown can also submit an updated Free and Reduced Benefits application to indicate their lack of pay.
• Mental health support: We understand that limited access to essential resources like food can have a significant impact on mental wellness. School mental health providers and counselors are available to support. Please contact your school if your student is in need of additional support.

Community Resources

• Local food security organizations can help meet families’ food needs outside of the school day. For more information on where to find food resources in our local communities you can reach out to: 
  • Colorado 211: Call 211 or 866-760-6489 or visit www.211colorado.org
  • Feeding Colorado: Visit www.feedingcolorado.org/find-food
  • Hunger Free Colorado Food Resource Hotline: 855-855-4626
  • Here is a form for those interested in receiving assistance from Food for Hope.
• Families should keep up with all SNAP recertification paperwork and continue to apply for SNAP; those applications will be processed when the government reopens.
• For urgent mental health support needs, you can call the Colorado Mental Health Line at 988.

How to help others

• The quickest and most impactful way to help families in need of food assistance is to donate to the Five Star Education Foundation. The Foundation can ensure that 100% of all donations will be used to support Adams 12 Five Star Schools families through the coalition of resources. 
• At this time, Food for Hope will serve as the lead food distribution partner in this effort. They are prepared to scale up operations to meet increased demand. All funds received by the Five Star Education Foundation will be directed to this coalition partner while they are able to meet urgent needs efficiently and safely. 
• While food drives are well-intentioned, community organizations that specialize in food security, like Food for Hope, are the most equipped to purchase food at a significantly discounted cost and maintain inventory safely. 

We recognize that this is a challenging time for many in our community. Our schools and community partners are here to assist you to the best of our ability. Thank you for your continued support of one another.

Respectfully,

Adams 12 Five Star Schools

Five Star Education Foundation 

Food for Hope