Dear campus community,

As you may be aware, the ongoing federal government shutdown might result in the temporary suspension of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits for many individuals and families across the country. We recognize that this development may create unexpected hardship for members of our own community.

In keeping with our university’s commitment to care and belonging, we have launched a coordinated Campus Food Security Action Plan to ensure that all students, staff, and faculty have continued access to food and essential resources during this period.

Key supports now in place include:

• Expanded access to Milo’s Market, our campus food pantry, including extended hours and mobile pop-up locations.
• Meal donation programs through campus dining services.Community partnerships that will supplement pantry inventory and provide ongoing food support.
• A campuswide hygiene drive launching in November, supported by Student Affairs in coordination with our campus partners and shared governance groups, to collect much-needed items such as shampoo, soap, detergent, feminine hygiene items, and paper products.
• Direct outreach to students we know have been impacted.

More details, including hours, locations, and application links, are available on our Basic Needs website.

For those of you who are in a place to support these efforts, please consider joining me in donating to the hygiene drive mentioned above, volunteering with Milo’s Market, and/or donating to the annual CU Denver Food Fight which starts on Monday, Nov. 3, and runs through Dec. 2.

Please encourage all members of our campus community to share this information widely. As things evolve, we remain committed to keeping you informed and supported. We are grateful to our Student Affairs team, campus partners, and community organizations for acting swiftly and compassionately to uphold our shared commitment to the well-being of every member of our university community.