By Kate Lythgoe, Food Programs Manager

Nearly 1 in 7 Coloradans struggle with hunger, sometimes not having enough money to buy food. Devastatingly, 1 in 5 Colorado kids may not know when or where they will get their next meal.  1 in 7 seniors struggle choosing between food and medication.

September is “Hunger Action Month” – Feeding America’s nationwide awareness campaign designed to take action on ending hunger. During the month, Tri-Lakes Cares will be running its own awareness campaign found here.

But what is Tri-Lakes Cares doing about hunger in our community? How are we hoping to lift the 1 in 4 working families in Colorado who do not have enough food to meet their basic needs out of poverty?

In addition to our supplemental food programs and Help Yourself, TLC is expanding food assistance through:

• With the funding assistance of Kaiser Permanente, Case Manager Paula is participating in community outreach to screen our  community for food insecurity.
• Two SNAP Ambassador volunteers, Wanda and Karen, are on-site during client service hours to help our clients apply for SNAP. Colorado currently ranks 45^th in SNAP/food stamp access for those eligible
• Expanding the Snack Pack program to include free/reduced lunch students in District 38 high schools with funding provided by Nutrition Camp School Foundation
• Hosting CSFP (Commodity Senior Food Program) at Tri-Lakes Cares to increase nutritious food access to our senior clients
• Providing senior resources through “Senior Brown Bag” lunch to increase awareness and availability of senior programs in our community

Whether it’s by raising awareness, participating in the SNAP Challenge, advocating, donating or volunteering, find a way to make a difference in our Tri-Lakes community. Together, we can tackle hunger!

For more information on the food programs and food assistance, please contact Kate Lythgoe, Food Programs Manager, foodprogramsmanager@tri-lakescares.org or 719.481.4864 x111