October 30, 2025
As the federal government shutdown continues and the Nov. 1 cutoff of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits looms, Denver Health, the city's safety-net health care system, is mobilizing resources to combat a pending public health crisis.
Disrupting SNAP benefits will affect many in our community, including children, pregnant women, older adults and those with disabilities. With millions of dollars in federal food aid for Colorado on hold, local food banks cannot fill the gap alone. Sadly, the impact will be felt first and hardest in vulnerable households.
“Every day, Denver Health providers connect with families who share their deepest concerns, and many share the need for food resources. Our community partners are always there to step in and help,” said Julie Venci, MD, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics physician and co-lead of community engagement programs at Denver Health’s Federico F. Peña Family Health Center. “Malnutrition and hunger unnecessarily lead to more serious health issues that ultimately are preventable with access to food.”
Dr. Venci and Carolina Guitierrez, MD, run the Produce Prescription Program, an initiative focused on combating food insecurity in the Southwest Denver community, connecting patients with fresh, healthy food and nutrition education.
For patients already managing complex or chronic conditions, the loss of SNAP benefits directly translates to an increased risk of poor health outcomes.
Through the generosity of Denver Health Foundation donors, the following organizations will receive money to continue their work to keep food banks full and resources available for Denver families:
- Bienvenidos Food Bank
- Denver Food Rescue
- Food Bank of the Rockies
- Montbello Walks
- Montbello Organizing Committee (FreshLo Hub)
- Project Angel Heart
- RE:VISION
- Servicios de la Raza
- Sun Valley Kitchen
Denver Health values all our community partners working to address social determinants of health. More than $37,000 is being distributed.
