Hunger reaches an all-time high in Colorado

While food is a basic necessity we need to live and survive, it is so much more than that when considering a child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development. One  in seven  Colorado kids faced hunger before the pandemic, and this number has only worsened in the past year. Approximately 38 percent of Coloradans are food insecure, the greatest rate since the Great Depression. The economic downturn caused by the pandemic has left many parents struggling to put food on the table, and this issue continues to persist as many remain unemployed. Nourishing meals are essential for kids to thrive, and it is critical that legislators, community organizations, and school districts continue to work toward providing students with access to food throughout the pandemic.

In the third episode of The West Steps’ third season, Stephanie Perez-Carrillo provides an overview of the concerns and consequences of food insecurity in Colorado. The compounding issues children have faced as a result of hunger during the pandemic are immeasurable and have the potential to affect them in ways beyond just their physical health. To learn more about the resources available for those living in hunger, or to find ways you can help, visit:

Colorado Food Finder: https://www.cofoodfinder.org/

Colorado PEAK (to check eligibility): https://coloradopeak.secure.force.com/

Hunger Free Colorado Food Resource Hotline: https://www.hungerfreecolorado.org/food-resource-hotline/