Low-income households face a tighter budget this month as the program that helps families in Colorado buy food saw its pandemic-era funding boost come to an end.

Coloradans who receive benefits from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, had received an extra amount of benefits every month since March 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The extra amount, or “emergency allotments,” were authorized by Congress, but they ended due to recent congressional action. A final emergency allotment was issued in February, according to the Colorado Department of Human Services.

If you’re struggling with the drop in benefits, it may help to turn to local programs and organizations.

Here’s a look at the local government departments or food pantries in your area and how to contact them. Make sure to ask, or check their websites, for any requirements.

Adams County

The Adams County Food Bank sits at 7111 E. 56th Ave. in Commerce City, just west of Quebec Street and a bit north of Interstate 270. It’s open 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Reach it at 720-878-3563 or see adamscountyfoodbank.org.

For a list of other food banks and pantries, see the county’s website at adamscountycovid19.org/food-banks-and-pantries — but be sure to check that the services are current.

For other assistance, contact Adams County Human Services Department at 720-523-2700 (or 303-375-2980 for the Aurora part of Adams County). Or see adcogov.org/human-services.

The human services department has locations at 11860 N. Pecos St. in Westminster, a short drive west of Interstate 25 and south of 120th Avenue, and at 3155 N. Chambers Road, unit C, in Aurora, near Smith Road and south of Interstate 70.

Arapahoe, Douglas and Elbert counties

Integrated Family Community Services, a nonprofit near Englewood, provides food and other low-income support to families across the south metro region.

IFCS has a service area of western Arapahoe and northern Douglas counties, including Englewood, Sheridan, Littleton, Centennial, Highlands Ranch, Glendale, Lone Tree and Greenwood Village.

The service area has also included southwest Denver neighborhoods, south of Jewell Avenue and west of Santa Fe Drive.

IFCS sits at 3370 S. Irving St. in the Sheridan area, northwest of Federal Boulevard and Hampden Avenue.

It’s open 8 a.m.–noon and 1–4 p.m. Monday through Friday, reachable at 303-789-0501. Or see ifcs.org.

Farther southeast, SECORCares in Parker serves the residents of Arapahoe, Douglas and Elbert counties with a food pantry open from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Friday and Saturday. New guests should arrive one hour before closing time for the intake process. Returning guests should arrive 30 minutes before closing.

See secorcares.com or call 720-842-5621. SECORCares sits at 17151 Pine Lane in Parker, just east of Jordan Road.

In Elbert County, The Food Bank of Kiowa Creek Community Church operates from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Mondays, 3–6 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m.–1 p.m. the second Friday of each month.

Call 303-243-6500 or see kiowacreek.org/who-we-are/foodbank-of-kiowa-creek-community-church. It’s located at 231 Cheyenne St. in Kiowa, about one block north of the intersection of state Highway 86 and Pawnee Street.

For more resources, see information from the following county human services departments:

• Arapahoe County Human Services — Located at 14980 E. Alameda Drive in Aurora, east of Sable Boulevard and east of Interstate 225. Call 303-636-1130 or see resources at arapahoegov.com/388/Human-Services.

• Douglas County Human Services — Located at 4400 Castleton Court in Castle Rock, accessible via Castleton Drive south of Meadows Parkway, just west of Interstate 25. Call 303-688-4825 or see a list of many resources, including for food, at douglas.co.us/human-services/resources/community-resources.

• Elbert County Human Services — Located at 75 Ute Ave. in Kiowa, a short drive north of state Highway 86. Call 303-621-3149, or see elbertcounty-co.gov/501/Food-assistance-and-resources.

Jefferson County

Community Table food pantry in Arvada sits at 8555 W 57th Ave., a short drive west of Wadsworth Boulevard.

It’s open noon–3:45 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday; noon–5:45 p.m. most Wednesdays; and 10 a.m.–3:45 p.m. Thursday. The pantry is closed the second Wednesday of every month. Call 303-424-6685 or see cotable.org.

For other resources, see Jefferson County Human Services at jeffco.us/human-services or 303-271-1388. It’s located at 900 Jefferson County Parkway in south Golden off U.S. Highway 6.

Clear Creek County

Loaves and Fishes, a food pantry in Clear Creek County, sits at 545 Highway 103 in Idaho Springs and is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

The food pantry in the Health and Wellness Center, located at 1969 Miner St. in Idaho Springs, is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. 

Read more about the resources in Clear Creek via reporter Olivia Jewell Love on Colorado Community Media’s website at tinyurl.com/ClearCreekFoodPantry.

Reach Clear Creek County Human Services at 303-679-2300 or at 405 Argentine St. in Georgetown or see co.clear-creek.co.us/113/Human-Services.

Weld County

The Fort Lupton Food and Clothing Bank sits at 421 Denver Ave. in Fort Lupton, east of U.S. Highway 85 and state Highway 52. See flfcb.org and call 303-857-1096 for hours and more information.

Reach Weld County Human Services at 2950 9th St. in Fort Lupton, 303-857-4052 or weld.gov/Government/Departments/Human-Services.

Denver and remaining parts of the metro area

In the “seven-county” metro area — including around the Denver area but also the Boulder and Broomfield communities — dial 211 for a multilingual and confidential service that can connect you to shelter, food, rent assistance, child care and more resources in your area. Or text your ZIP code to 898-211 or scroll down to "live chat" at unitedwaydenver.org/community-programs/2-1-1.