DENVER (January 23, 2019) – The partial shutdown of the federal government that began on Saturday, December 22 because Congress and the President were unable to agree on funding for the 2019 fiscal year, has become the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Hunger Free Colorado calls on the President and Congress to fund the federal government and end the shutdown that threatens the health and financial security of millions of Americans and weakens our national economy.
More than 450,000 Coloradans rely on food stamps each month to afford groceries and meet basic nutritional needs for themselves or their families. While the USDA has ensured food stamp funding through February, there is uncertainty about how federally funded nutrition programs will function in March. These vital programs include food stamps (federally known as SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), and free and reduced-price school meals.
Many Coloradans received their February food stamp benefits early due to the shutdown, meaning they will need to stretch their limited food assistance dollars weeks longer than usual with no certainty of when their next benefit payment will arrive. If the shutdown stretches on, 1 in 12 Coloradans – including children, parents, older adults, and people with disabilities – could have their food assistance cut in March. As a result, the Colorado economy would miss out on $55 million in food stamp benefits each month. Nationally, this loss would impact more than 250,000 supermarkets, grocery stores and other retailers that participate in the Food Stamp Program.
In addition to threatening vital nutrition programs and the health of our communities, the shutdown has left hundreds of thousands of federal employees without pay. Between the missed paychecks of federal employees and contractors, and the long period between uncertain food stamp payments, food banks and food pantries are facing a severe uptick in demand for their services. It is important now more than ever to support organizations in your community on the frontlines of fighting hunger.
The government shutdown is harming Coloradans who are already struggling to make ends meet. If the shutdown continues, the damage will only worsen. Hunger Free Colorado calls on lawmakers in Washington D.C. to fund the federal government to avoid further harm to hundreds of thousands of Coloradans.
Media Contact: Ellie Agar, Director of Communications, (720) 464-3620