SNAP Emergency Allotments Expire

Starting March 1st, 2023, Coloradans, and people throughout the nation, participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) saw their monthly amounts drop drastically as the Emergency Allotments for the SNAP program (Food Stamps) that took place during the COVID-19 pandemic came to an end February 28, 2023. On an individual basis, the end of emergency allotments will mean an average loss of $82 in food stamps per person every month, according to US Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates.

The Emergency Allotments began in March 2020 to help people who lost their jobs, were underemployed, were financially strained due to medical costs, etc. due to COVID-19. After three years, the decision was made to end the Emergency Allotments. Additionally, this is happening at a time when grocery prices are already much higher than normal. This change will affect the human food that is accessible to people, leaving even less money for pet food and pet costs.

That’s where we come in.

How will this affect Colorado Pet Pantry?

Colorado Pet Pantry saw a drastic increase in the amount of people needing pet food assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Three years later the need has only continued to increase, while donations have recently begun to decrease due to our donors’ economic concerns. We’re already seeing even more people needing help with pet food because more of their sparse funds are needed to feed the human family members.

Colorado Pet Pantry works side by side with human food banks to help make sure the human food goes to the humans and the pet food goes to the pets. “I will feed my pets before I eat…” is a common phrase heard at our organization when those who need pet food reach out.

The human food banks that we partner with have already reported that their human food distributions increased by 30 to 50% in February 2023 alone. And our pet food banks in the past two months have greatly increased in the number of people seeking help. This began the month BEFORE the food stamps decreased. The concern is that this number will dramatically increase in months to come as people and families realize the full affect of the decreased food stamp allotment.

While food stamps cannot be used for pet food, this decrease in food stamps will affect a person’s or family’s overall ability to feed all the members of the family, including ones with paws. Colorado Pet Pantry anticipates that need will greatly increase, beginning NOW.

As pets make their way into our hearts and our homes, they become part of the family. Most of the clients we assist have had their pets for many years, then financial struggles took hold. Pet owners should not have to choose between keeping their pet or feeding their pet.

How can you help?

Monetary donations go a long way. Thanks to our pet food partnerships, we can take just $5 and give a pet a 30-day supply of pet food.

Volunteering is the backbone of our organization. If we do not have volunteers to run our pet food banks, pick up donations, or help in our warehouse, we do not exist. If you are able to volunteer, we would love to have you!

Sharing about us online helps spread the word about what we are doing and grows our organization. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to keep up to date with what is happening at Colorado Pet Pantry.

We send out monthly newsletters, if you would like to be a part of our email list, please sign up here.

Will you be affected by the Emergency Allotment decrease? Do you have questions? Find answers to your questions here.


Kroenke Sports Charities, Colorado Pet Pantry, and PetSmart Team Up to Feed Hungry Pets this Month

Denver, CO, February 10 – On February 14, 2023, Kroenke Sports Charities will make a donation of $25,000 which will provide 300,000 pet food meals to clients of the statewide nonprofit pet food bank organization Colorado Pet Pantry. This grant will feed 4,000 pets for 30 days, helping people to avoid relinquishing their pets when financial challenges arise.

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, Avalanche Mascot Bernie will make a special appearance at the Colorado Pet Pantry’s pet food bank in the Swansea neighborhood of Denver on February 14, 2023 from 1:30-2:30pm. Bernie will help distribute pet food to people coming to get assistance from Colorado Pet Pantry.

PetSmart is joining the effort by also contributing pet food and dog toys which Bernie and Colorado Pet Pantry volunteers will distribute at this pet food bank.

The pet food bank is held by Colorado Pet Pantry in partnership with We Don’t Waste and WeeCycle, which will hold a mobile human food bank and diaper bank at the same time. Colorado Pet Pantry holds most of its pet food banks in conjunction with a partner’s human food bank.

Date: Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Time: 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

Where: Focus Points Family Resource Center, 2501 E 48th Ave, Denver, CO 80216

In January 2023, at its monthly Swansea pet food bank, the Colorado Pet Pantry served 376 pets and 150 families a total of 4,000 lbs of pet food and 800 cans of food so that families in-need were able to keep their pets with their loving families. On February 14, the expectation is that the nonprofit organization will serve the same or more families. The need has been steadily growing at pet food banks throughout Colorado, and especially in high need areas such as the Swansea neighborhood of Denver, due to inflation, cost of housing, and now, the looming February 28 expiration of COVID-19 SNAP emergency allotments (food stamp) benefits, which will drastically eat into a person or family’s resources for acquiring human food. While pet food cannot be purchased with food stamps, the change in SNAP benefits will reduce a person’s ability to get human food, leaving less financial resources for feeding pets, further increasing the need for pet food banks such as Colorado Pet Pantry.

The Kroenke Sports Charities (KSC) grant to Colorado Pet Pantry was made in honor of the Colorado Avalanche’s 27th season, during which KSC made generous donations to 27 Colorado nonprofits. More info on the recipients is available here: https://www.nhl.com/avalanche/news/kroenke-sports-charities-ksc-and-avs-to-celebrate-watch-party-grants/c-340441124

For more information about the Colorado Pet Pantry and/or this event, please contact Eileen Lambert, 720-441-3111, eileen@coloradopetpantry.org.

About Colorado Pet Pantry

The Colorado Pet Pantry temporarily feeds Colorado pets, allowing families to increase their ability to care for pets with the goal of keeping them out of shelters and with their families. In the past 12 months, the Colorado Pet Pantry has served 6.9 million meals to hungry pets. The organization has 103 monthly pet food banks throughout the state of Colorado. The Colorado Pet Pantry is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Our EIN is 45-4210185. More info: www.coloradopetpantry.org

About Kroenke Sports Charities
Kroenke Sports Charities is committed to improving lives through the spirit and power of sports.  We strive to serve our community through education, health and fitness initiatives, athletic programs, and direct aid, with the particular purpose of helping families, children, veterans, and the disabled.  Kroenke Sports Charities provides relevant programs and support, directly and with other nonprofit organizations, to ultimately assist, encourage, and enrich the lives of those in need. https://www.ballarena.com/arena-information/kroenke-sports-charities/