🚨 It's November 1, and for the first time ever, 38,000 families in Jefferson County will not receive their monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits this week. In response, the Action Center has opened 50 additional slots a day for food assistance, which were filled within minutes. Many additional families will come to us this week looking for support. We're working with our partners to try and find solutions for this overwhelming need. Even if the freeze is lifted on Monday, at best, there will be significant delays for families who depend on these payments. ⚠️ This surge in demand will be more severe than anything we’ve encountered in years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, SNAP support was expanded. And while previous government shutdowns allowed SNAP benefits to continue, they are now completely frozen, making this situation worse than any we've faced before. So what can we do? We can step up to support our neighbors by filling the gaps in assistance. If you have the means, our community needs your support. Your contributions mean more now than ever. Please consider becoming a monthly donor; any amount you can give will help. Support your neighbors here: https://bit.ly/47jezI3 If you’ve lost benefits as a community member, we are by your side during this difficult time. Message our staff and we will give you guidance: https://bit.ly/47RsRQ4 (fb)

This week we paused to celebrate those who make our work possible. Our volunteers. 💛 In the midst of everything happening right now, including funding cuts, economic uncertainty, increased need and "all the things we don't have control over," as our Chief Impact Officer, Laurie, put it, our volunteers continue to be a steady anchor that helps us weather every storm. We gathered at Applewood Golf Course in Golden for our annual volunteer appreciation event, appropriately themed "We Would Crumble Without You." The room was filled with hugs, stories, gratitude and an abundance of applause, laughter and cheers. But it was also full of something we need now more than ever: hope. Monica Wilde, our Manager of Volunteer Programs and Special Events, said it best: "The volunteers that we have here, I've been here for 8 years... They are truly my family. They bring me so much joy. They're so passionate about what they do. They work extremely hard. They're non-judgmental. They welcome everybody. I've learned so much from them." MaryAnn Rothenburg shared what 50 years of service looks like in a heartfelt, handwritten speech. From serving 70 families in her early days to helping us serve 60,000-70,000 individuals today, that's the transformation dedicated volunteers make happen. Awards were presented for exceptional behind-the-scenes work and outstanding service throughout the day. There are challenges ahead: delays, hearings and increased demand. But here's what we know for certain: Our volunteers show up. They sort, serve, greet, organize, lift, listen and show unconditional love to this community. That is something we'll always make time to celebrate. 📸 Help us capture the full story! Tag the Action Center in your photos and share what made the day special for you in the comments. Interested in volunteering? Learn more about opportunities on our website. (fb)