Overview
- Federal judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island ruled the administration cannot suspend SNAP during the shutdown and ordered USDA to report funding plans by Monday, though it remains unclear how quickly payments will resume and temporary reductions are possible.
- Colorado says it cannot issue about $120 million in November SNAP benefits after USDA withheld funds, affecting more than 600,000 residents statewide and roughly 100,000 people in Denver, many of them children.
- Mayor Mike Johnston launched a Food Assistance Task Force, set up nonperishable drop-off sites at recreation centers, and announced free Saturday lunches for ages 3 to 18 at 14 centers through early January.
- Food Bank of the Rockies expanded operations, including ordering 30 additional truckloads for November, while urging cash donations as the state’s Joint Budget Committee approved up to $10 million for food pantries and Mile High United Way launched a $35,000 rapid-response campaign and 211 support.
- Grassroots efforts are growing, with six Denver-area food halls hosting a coordinated donation drive, Facebook “grocery buddy” posts pairing neighbors for groceries and gift cards, and a community-run backyard pantry collecting about 900 pounds of food.