IFCS Colorado

11/06/2026

Every month, we see the needs of the community reflected in the numbers our Program Team collects. October was extremely busy, and shows growing financial crises as the colder weather moves in.

Thankfully, our team is skilled and efficient, and always on the lookout for ways to improve our services. Throughout October:
• Blake, our new Operations Manager, has ensured that the Market is well stocked with food.
• Christina, Program Coordinator, has served over 70 households with Utility Assistance.
• Wendy, Resource Navigator, has been responsive to a high demand of Rec Center Vouchers this fall.
• Miriam, Program Director, carefully attended to rental assistance applications (unfortunately, incoming applications exceeded the funding we had available to help).

We are grateful to be here, standing in the gaps for families facing financial hardship and helping as many as we're able. All the support we provide in the community is made possible by *your* support. On behalf of our program participants and team: Thank You! 🙌

11/05/2026

In the News: "The Family Affordability Tax Credit (FATC) lifted an estimated 22,500 children above the poverty line in 2024, according to an October report from the Colorado Children’s Campaign. But a revenue trigger has suspended the credit for tax year 2026, meaning families cannot claim it on returns filed in 2027."

https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/thousands-colorado-children-escaped-poverty-with-tax-credit-families-now-face-year-without/73-9cd8d00b-804c-427c-9238-866bb2fa4c12

11/04/2026

IFCS relies on the generous donation of volunteer time to accomplish the mission of nourishing lives: our No-Cost Market could not open without their dedication and support.

Thanks to our 387 October volunteers who served 716 hours to ensure that shoppers visiting IFCS received a warm welcome and left with the ingredients needed to make several nourishing meals.

11/03/2026

Colorado Gives Day 2026 - Supporting IFCS is Tuesday, December 8 but you can give early (starting on November 1). Show some love for IFCS with your donation today at https://rb.gy/onz6xh

Thank you for helping nourish lives and build a stronger community! 🧡
Colorado Gives Foundation

11/03/2026

🥔 Hot potato - pass it on! 🔥

A Denver nonprofit is giving away 150,000 of potatoes for free! There's no limit on how many you can take, so bring a bag, wagon or even a pickup truck.

https://www.9news.com/article/life/style/colorado-guide/denver-nonprofit-giving-away-150000-free-potatoes-monday/73-adb4d2a3-a10a-481d-981c-9d91adbd51f0?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_9NEWS_(KUSA)

11/02/2026

You may recall our previous posts of volunteers/staff with matching names. Here's another: Meet 3 of our 5 Jeff/Geoffs.

With volunteer shifts changing each day, it's not often that our Volunteer Manager can get more than 2 volunteers with the same name in the same room together. Last Wednesday, she was able to capture these 3 - and they were debating whether "Geoff" counts as a "Jeff". 🤣 We'll take them all! 💙

11/01/2026

💡 Colorado’s Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) accepts applications from November 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027. Eligible households may receive a one-time payment of $200–$1,000 toward heating costs, paid directly to the utility. Some may also qualify for furnace repairs or replacement and weatherization.

To qualify, household income must be at or below 60% of Colorado’s state median income, the household must pay heating costs directly or through rent, and at least one member must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident. Applications are available through Colorado PEAK, local county human services offices, or by calling 1-866-432-8435 for a paper application.

Read the full article at: https://kiowacountypress.net/content/colorados-low-income-energy-assistance-program-begins-accepting-applications-november-1

To understand the difference between Energy Outreach Colorado (EOC) and LEAP, visit http://bit.ly/4lBNEet

10/31/2026

When funding is available, IFCS collaborates with local governments and organizations to offer rental assistance and other housing resources and programs. We are grateful for every opportunity to help individuals, families, and seniors to stay in their homes. 🏠

We're heartbroken to be witnessing a rise in urgent needs for financial assistance, which directly relates to housing stability in our community. Since we currently have no resources to administer any rental assistance or housing navigation programs, Miriam Noriega Mendez, our Program Director, is networking and searching high and low for rent assistance opportunities to provide to our participants. She's found a few Rental Assistance resources, which we have added to our website. Please use the links, and refer others facing housing insecurity, at: https://rb.gy/96oyuz

10/30/2026

Food insecurity can negatively affect young children’s brain development, health, and learning, while also increasing stress for caregivers. Federal programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), and CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program) help families access nutritious food and support healthy early childhood development.

This Harvard Center on the Developing Child article highlights the importance of strengthening and simplifying these programs while addressing the root causes of hunger—such as high housing and childcare costs, low wages, and economic instability—to create lasting food security for families. Read it in full at: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/policy-insights/policy-qa-strengthening-food-security-early-childhood-development/

10/28/2026

Last week, Modern Railway Systems joined us to reorganize our backstock area. They've been volunteering annually for several years (is it 5 this year!?) 😲 and we always appreciate their "unmatched ability to bring things together... while providing innovative solutions and fostering lasting relationships" (from their mission statement).

During a recent construction project, we lost one of our shelves, so the MRS team added it back in. Now that this area is organized, we have more space for food storage and a more efficient overall storage system. 👏