How do I apply for SNAP?

Apply through your state's Department of Human Services — online, in person, or by phone. Approval for basic cases can happen in 30 days; expedited SNAP is available within 7 days for households in severe need. Bring ID, proof of income, rent/mortgage, and utilities.

Can I use a food bank without applying?

Yes. Most food banks and pantries don't require income verification, ID, or applications for initial visits. Feeding America's online locator (feedingamerica.org) finds nearby pantries by ZIP code. Most pantries let you visit once or twice a month.

Are custodial fathers eligible for WIC?

Yes. WIC covers custodial parents (including fathers and grandparents) of children under 5, and breastfeeding or postpartum mothers. It's commonly assumed to be mother-only — it isn't. Apply at your local WIC clinic. Income limit is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.

What is summer food service?

USDA's Summer Food Service Program feeds children 18 and under during school breaks. No application required — kids just show up at a participating site (schools, parks, libraries). Text FOOD to 304-304 to find a nearby site, or call 211.

Food Assistance in Colorado

17 verified resources.

About Food Assistance for Fathers

Food assistance programs for US fathers and families include SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps), WIC (Women, Infants, and Children — which serves custodial fathers of children under 5), the National School Lunch Program, food banks through the Feeding America network, and Meals on Wheels. SNAP is administered state-by-state; eligibility is generally based on household income below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level. Food banks operate in every state and are the fastest way to access food without an application — most require no ID or income verification for initial visits. TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) supplies food banks with USDA commodities. Summer Food Service Programs feed children during school breaks. This directory includes each state's SNAP office, regional food bank networks, and WIC clinics.

Food Assistance in Colorado

Colorado uses 'allocation of parental responsibilities' instead of 'custody' and handles cases in district courts. The Child Support Services division runs enforcement statewide. Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, and Fort Collins anchor the major metros. Colorado Legal Services (the statewide LSC program), Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network, and numerous county self-help centers support fathers statewide.

17 Resources

1. Colorado SNAP — Free

Colorado's food assistance program, formerly food stamps, helping eligible low-income residents buy groceries with benefits loaded onto the Colorado Quest EBT card. Serves income-eligible households statewide. Apply online at colorado.gov/PEAK or at your local county human services office; bring a photo ID, Social Security numbers for each household member, recent pay stubs or benefit letters, rent receipts, and utility bills to complete the application.

1-800-536-5298 · Apply online at colorado.gov/PEAK or at local county office · Online 24/7; offices Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Colorado WIC Program — Free

Federally funded program providing nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and supplemental foods for pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under five. Serves income-eligible families statewide through local WIC clinics. Call or apply online to schedule an appointment; bring a photo ID, proof of address, proof of income, the child's or pregnancy's medical identification, and the child if applying for minors at the clinic visit.

1-800-688-7777 · WIC clinics statewide · Varies by clinic · Visit Website

3. Care and Share Food Bank (Colorado Springs) — Free

Serves southern Colorado through more than 350 partner agencies distributing food to families across 31 counties from its Colorado Springs distribution hub. Serves residents across southern Colorado through partner pantries rather than direct distribution. Use the food finder on the website or dial 211 to locate a nearby pantry; bring a photo ID, proof of address, and household information as required by individual pantry partners.

719-528-1247 · 2605 Preamble Point, Colorado Springs, CO 80915 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

4. Food Bank of the Rockies - Western Slope — Free

Serves western Colorado through partner agencies providing food distribution across mountain and rural communities from a Grand Junction warehouse. Works with pantries, meal sites, and mobile distributions rather than direct household pickup. Use the pantry locator on the website to find a distribution site near you; bring a photo ID, proof of address, and any household information required by the individual partner pantry.

970-464-1138 · 241 N 21st St, Grand Junction, CO 81501 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

5. Colorado 2-1-1 - Food Assistance — Free

Free statewide helpline connecting Coloradans to food pantries, SNAP enrollment help, emergency food, and senior meal programs 24 hours a day. Serves all Colorado residents regardless of income at no cost. No intake is required to call; dial 211 from any Colorado phone and have ready your ZIP code, household size, and a brief description of your need so the specialist can match you to nearby food resources.

211 · Statewide · 24/7

6. Feeding America - CO Food Banks — Free

National hunger relief network that anchors Colorado's regional food banks and offers a zip code locator to find the nearest partner pantry or distribution site. Serves all U.S. residents at no cost, with Colorado coverage through Food Bank of the Rockies, Care and Share, and Weld Food Bank. Use the website to search by ZIP code; individual pantries may request a photo ID and proof of address at the distribution site.

Search by CO zip code · Online 24/7 · Visit Website

7. Metro Caring (Denver) — Free

Denver nonprofit providing a fresh food market, nutrition education, SNAP enrollment assistance, and ID document replacement help for Denver-area families facing hunger. Serves Denver residents at no cost. Visit during market hours; bring a photo ID if available, proof of address such as a utility bill or lease, and basic household information to access the market. SNAP enrollment help and ID navigation are available by appointment.

303-860-7200 · 1100 E 18th Ave, Denver, CO 80218 · Mon-Fri 9am-3pm · Visit Website

8. Colorado PEAK (Benefits Portal) — Free

Colorado's online benefits portal allowing households to apply for SNAP, Health First Colorado, TANF, childcare assistance, and other programs in a single application. Serves Coloradans statewide at no cost, available 24/7 online. Create an account with an email address; have ready photo ID, Social Security numbers for each household member, recent pay stubs, rent or mortgage documents, and utility bills before starting the application.

1-800-536-5298 · Online resource · Online 24/7

9. Weld Food Bank (Greeley) — Free

Serves Weld County families with emergency food distribution, holiday food baskets, backpack programs for school kids, and mobile pantries across northern Colorado. Works through partner pantries and direct distributions. Visit the main warehouse during distribution hours or use the website to find a partner site; bring a photo ID, proof of Weld County address, and household information as required by the partner pantry location.

970-356-2199 · 1108 H St, Greeley, CO 80631 · Mon-Fri 8am-4pm · Visit Website

10. Community Food Share (Boulder/Broomfield) — Free

Food bank serving Boulder and Broomfield counties through more than 40 partner agencies, mobile distributions, and senior food programs. Serves residents of Boulder and Broomfield counties through partner pantries rather than direct household distribution at the warehouse. Use the website's food locator to find a distribution site; bring a photo ID, proof of address, and household information as required by the partner pantry.

303-652-3663 · 650 S Taylor Ave, Louisville, CO 80027 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

11. Larimer County Food Bank (Fort Collins) — Free

Food bank serving Larimer County through partner agencies providing emergency food to families in need across Fort Collins, Loveland, Estes Park, and surrounding communities. Works through partner pantries, meal sites, and mobile distributions. Use the locator on the website or call Colorado 2-1-1 to find a distribution near you; bring a photo ID, proof of Larimer County address, and household information as required by the partner site.

970-493-4477 · 5706 Arapahoe Ave, Fort Collins, CO 80525 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

12. Posada Food Pantry (Pueblo) — Free

Pueblo-area food pantry operated by Posada, serving southern Colorado families with emergency food distribution, community meals, and links to broader homelessness services. Serves low-income and homeless individuals and families in the Pueblo area at no cost. Visit during pantry hours; bring a photo ID if available, proof of Pueblo-area address if possible, and household size information to help staff provide appropriate food amounts.

719-545-8776 · 224 N Union Ave, Pueblo, CO 81003 · Mon-Fri 9am-3pm · Visit Website

13. Denver Rescue Mission - Food Services — Free

Free meals and food box programs for homeless and low-income individuals and families in the Denver metro area, including Lawrence Street Community Center meals and holiday distributions. Serves anyone in need at no cost. Walk in during meal hours for hot meals; for food boxes and family assistance, contact the ministry directly. A photo ID may be requested for certain programs but is not required for most daily meals.

303-297-1815 · 1130 Park Ave W, Denver, CO 80205 · Meals served daily · Visit Website

14. Springs Rescue Mission - Food (Colorado Springs) — Free

Free meals and food assistance for homeless and low-income individuals in Colorado Springs, including daily hot meals and related shelter services. Serves anyone in need at no cost. Walk in during posted meal times for daily hot meals; for broader shelter or case management services, contact the mission directly. A photo ID may be requested for certain programs but is not required for most daily community meals.

719-632-1822 · 5 W Las Vegas St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 · Meals served daily · Visit Website

15. Aurora Interfaith Community Services - Food Bank — Free

Food pantry serving Aurora and eastern metro Denver families with emergency food, household supplies, and seasonal programs through a network of faith partners. Serves low-income residents of Aurora and surrounding areas at no cost. Visit during pantry hours; bring a photo ID, proof of Aurora-area address such as a utility bill or lease, and basic household size information to support the pantry's registration process.

303-367-1515 · 1577 Kingston St, Aurora, CO 80010 · Mon-Fri 9am-3pm

16. National School Lunch Program - Colorado — Free

Federal free and reduced-price lunch program for eligible K-12 students in Colorado public and participating private schools, administered by the Colorado Department of Education. Serves income-eligible students statewide. Apply through your child's school using the free and reduced lunch form at enrollment or during the school year; households typically need household size, income information, and each student's name and grade level to apply.

Colorado public schools statewide · School hours · Visit Website

17. Summer Food Service Program - Colorado — Free

Free summer meals for children 18 and under at designated sites across Colorado when school is not in session, including libraries, parks, and community centers. Serves all children regardless of income at participating sites with no application required. Use the Colorado Department of Education website to find a summer site by ZIP code; no photo ID, paperwork, or enrollment is typically required for a child to receive a summer meal.

Sites across Colorado · Summer months · Visit Website

Food Assistance — Common Questions

How do I apply for SNAP?: Apply through your state's Department of Human Services — online, in person, or by phone. Approval for basic cases can happen in 30 days; expedited SNAP is available within 7 days for households in severe need. Bring ID, proof of income, rent/mortgage, and utilities.
Can I use a food bank without applying?: Yes. Most food banks and pantries don't require income verification, ID, or applications for initial visits. Feeding America's online locator (feedingamerica.org) finds nearby pantries by ZIP code. Most pantries let you visit once or twice a month.
Are custodial fathers eligible for WIC?: Yes. WIC covers custodial parents (including fathers and grandparents) of children under 5, and breastfeeding or postpartum mothers. It's commonly assumed to be mother-only — it isn't. Apply at your local WIC clinic. Income limit is 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.
What is summer food service?: USDA's Summer Food Service Program feeds children 18 and under during school breaks. No application required — kids just show up at a participating site (schools, parks, libraries). Text FOOD to 304-304 to find a nearby site, or call 211.