Whenever SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits are disrupted, people experiencing homelessness feel it first and hardest. SNAP—formerly known as “food stamps”—is the federal government’s largest food assistance program, helping millions of low-income individuals and families afford groceries each month. “Often times these benefits are the last thing standing between a family remaining housed or entering homelessness,” says Dennis Van Kampen, President/CEO of Denver Rescue Mission.
At Denver Rescue Mission, many of the men, women, and families we serve rely on both SNAP and our emergency services to meet some of their most basic needs. When those safety nets falter, your support helps make sure no one goes hungry.
Because of you, those we serve can focus on building stability, finding employment, and working toward lasting change.
How SNAP Changes Impact the Mission
Beginning November 1, SNAP—or food assistance benefits—may be unavailable or significantly decreased for many individuals and families. You may wonder how this impacts our Mission’s work. The truth is, it touches both our program participants and even some of our staff.
Bridge Program Participants
Our Bridge Program at The Crossing is a transitional housing program where families work toward stability and independence. Participants contribute a portion of their fees and food costs—an important step toward self-sufficiency.
However, with SNAP benefits paused, many participants will lose the support they rely on to purchase groceries. To ensure no family goes hungry, Denver Rescue Mission will waive meal fees for all Bridge Program participants who are SNAP recipients throughout November.
Mission Staff Members
This disruption also affects our own team. Some Mission staff members rely on SNAP to feed their families and make ends meet. For November, Denver Rescue Mission will provide temporary food assistance for staff losing SNAP benefits—because it’s the right thing to do for those who work so diligently and care so deeply for our guests.
Family Homelessness Is Rising Fast in Denver
This crisis isn’t just isolated to our programs either—it reflects a growing need across the city. According to a recent report from the City and County of Denver’s Department of Housing Stability (HOST) and local news coverage, family homelessness in Denver has doubled over the past 12 months, a 100% increase.
More than 200 families—representing 893 individuals—are currently on the waitlist for shelter. At The Crossing, we’re able to support 138 households in our Bridge program, while an additional 150 men participate in our New Life Program at The Crossing and at Harvest Farm in Wellington, CO.
HOST attributes the rise to increased evictions, an influx of newly unhoused families moving to the area, and the loss of key social safety nets, like SNAP benefits.
These numbers serve as a sobering reminder that even temporary disruptions to programs like food assistance can have life-changing consequences. That’s why your support of Denver Rescue Mission is so vital—helping families not only survive this season but find lasting stability and hope.
Together with you, we helped 574 households obtain more stable housing last year alone.
Other Ways Your Support Helps Those in Desperate Need
Food and Clothing
At our Ministry Outreach Center, our Client Services team helps provide food and clothing to qualified families, helping them focus their income on paying their bills and staying housed. All the clothing and non-perishable food items we distribute come from donations from community supporters, just like you.
If you have food and clothing items you can donate, consider dropping them off at our Ministry Outreach Center conveniently located just off I-70 between Colorado Boulevard and Quebec Street. Learn More »
Homelessness Prevention
Even as we respond to urgent needs this November, the Mission is preparing for lasting impact through our new Prevention Program pilot, which launched earlier this fall.
In partnership with local schools and churches, this pilot program will provide one-time financial assistance and case management to qualified families facing sudden crises—helping them stay safely housed and avoid homelessness altogether.
Your generosity does more than fill empty plates—it keeps families in their homes, working, and connected to their communities.
Meeting Needs—Together
These decisions reflect our commitment to care for those who are hungry and vulnerable, but they also create an unplanned financial burden on our ministry. For more than 133 years, this community has stood alongside us to meet moments of crisis with compassion and generosity.
We need that partnership again now—to meet this challenge and to help us reach our year-end giving goal.
“Jesus told us in scripture to feed those who are hungry—that is what we have done for 133 years, and with your help, we will continue doing.”
Dennis Van Kampen, President/CEO, Denver Rescue Mission
You Can Help Today
Your gift today will help us supplement Bridge Program participants’ SNAP benefits and provide food assistance for hardworking staff members affected by this disruption. Every dollar helps us keep food on the table and hope alive for people working so hard to rebuild their lives.
