While the federal government re-opened Nov. 13, Teller County officials have been taking the lead in plugging gaps in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. With the shutdown that lasted 43 days, food banks are still collecting and storing food.

At issue is the removal of SNAP benefits from more than 3,000 county residents due to the government shutdown and the community response.  

In addition to county officials spearheading drives for five food banks, through the Teller County Food Initiative, other nonprofits are joining the movement.

Last week, the Teller County Farmers Market donated $1,000 each to the Aspen Mine Center in Cripple Creek, Little Chapel Food Pantry in Divide and Community Cupboard in Woodland Park. In addition, the TCFM donated $500 each to Teller County Regional Animal Shelter and Teller Pet Pantry. 

According to Dodson, the donations were a response to the loss of SNAP benefits for Teller County residents.  

“People are choosing between feeding their families and their pets,” said Marietta Dodson, marketing manager for the organization. “Some people are giving up their pets to TCRAS.

“Most of our SNAP recipients are people who are disabled, elderly or are administering care for family members who are developmentally disabled. The donations are profits from the Farmers Market.”

Contributing to another nonprofit fits the mission of the market which is to ensure that people in Teller County have access to food, whether from farmers markets or somewhere else, Dodson said.

“There are a large portion of people who experience food insecurity in this county,” she said.

Dodson has heard all the misinformation about what SNAP beneficiaries buy with their EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) cards.

“It’s for food that you can take home to prepare a meal, not soda pop, cigarettes or beer,” she said, adding that, if recipients are observed buying products other than what is allowed, they are paying cash, with their own money.  “Meat, cheese, dairy, eggs, bread of baked goods, peanut butter are allowed.”

A nonprofit, Nourish Colorado, provides up to $20 for SNAP recipients to spend on fresh produce or food-producing plants such as mushrooms – but only at farmers markets or vegetable stands, Dodson said.  

Recipients have provided information that qualifies them to be beneficiaries of SNAP. 

“For instance, a single person over the age of 65 who is a U.S. citizen gets an average of $188 a month from SNAP,” she said, adding that the amount depends upon the individual’s monthly income.  

In its 35^th year in Woodland Park, the organization reacted when the government ceased funding for SNAP.

“We knew there were going to be cuts in the SNAP program, but we had no idea that, with the government shutdown, they would also cut off food and food distribution,” Dodson said. “There is a crisis, but this is what we can do.”