Food Assistance (SNAP)

This page is a resource for food assistance needs in the City and County of Denver, including applying for SNAP, locating food pantries and hot meals in Denver, and information on other available programs.

What You Need to Know

We all want to live safe, healthy, and productive lives. Having enough nutritious food to eat makes it easier for this dream to become a reality. As a result, children do better in school, parents and adults perform better at work, and older adults don't have to choose between eating or paying for other basic needs like medication or home heating.

We can help you apply for food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and connect you to other food resources in our community, like free summer meals for kids, food pantries, and area farmer's markets. 

How to Apply

Online

Apply for food assistance online through the Colorado PEAK website. Se ofrece servicio en español. 

Please note: this site is maintained by the State of Colorado. When you click the link, you will exit the Denver Human Services portal.

Apply Now

In Person

If you are a new customer who cannot access our website or has mobility issues, we can bring the paperwork to apply to you! Call our document delivery hotline at (720) 944-1520. We will leave an application at your door and we can arrange to return to pick it up once you complete it.

 

Mail/Fax

Have an application sent to you by mail or fax. Call (720) 944-4DHS (4347) for more information.

Please mail your completed application to:

1200 Federal Blvd.
Denver

Or fax it to (720) 944-3094.

Phone

While you cannot apply by phone, you can call (720) 944-4DHS (4347) for more information about the application process or for updates on your application. Se habla español. 

Food Pantries and Hot Meals in Denver

 

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the next Mobile Food Pantry event happening?

Mobile food pantry events happen on the third Friday of every month at our Denver Human Services East location, as well as the fourth Monday of every month at Raices Brewing Company.

Visit the event pages for the Mobile Pantry at our Denver Human Services East location, or for the Mobile Pantry at Raices Brewing Company, for more information.

How can I make sure my kids eat healthy meals?

The first step in ensuring your children have enough healthy food to eat is to apply for food assistance. After enrolling, we can introduce you to community partners and resources to show you how to stretch your food dollars. They can also help you discover how to prepare quick and healthy meals and snacks for the family.

Community partner Cooking Matters helps people shop smarter, use nutrition information to make healthier choices, and cook delicious and affordable kid-approved meals.

The Tasty Food for Denver's Kids program hosted by the Office of Children's Affairs provides free meals to Denver youths. And youths can enjoy free breakfast, lunch, and dinner services through Denver Public Schools.

 

How can I find food while quarantined?

If someone in your household gets diagnosed with COVID-19 or the city issues a lockdown because of the pandemic, you have alternatives. Many services in the Denver metro like Instacart, Safeway, and Postmates offer a "drop at the door" option to prevent contact.

Where can I find free or reduced-cost food?

Hunger Free Colorado serves the City and County of Denver and the entire state of Colorado. You can apply for food assistance through its services and connect with food pantries and free meal sites in your area. HFC's operators can also give you directions, share food availability, help you find holiday mealtimes, and other beneficial information about those pantries and sites. Contact the food resource hotline at (720) 382-2920 for Denver and (855) 855-4626 statewide for more information.

Nourish Colorado's Double Up Food Bucks Colorado helps SNAP recipients save money at community grocery stores, farmer's markets, and farm stands. The program also posts easy, step-by-step, family-friendly cooking videos on their YouTube channel.

What discounts are available to me if I receive food assistance?

In addition to food funds, SNAP recipients may also access a number of Denver’s premiere museums and cultural centers through the Explorer Pass program, which provides discount general admission to select venues for as low as $1 per person, up to 10 people.

With the Double Up Food Bucks Colorado program, SNAP users also receive a discount on the food they buy at participating locations using their SNAP EBT (electronic benefit transfer – the card that manages food assistance dollars) cards.

Finally, youth 18 and under can access free meals during summer months thanks to the Free Summer Meals program. 

Food resources for older adults

The Aging and Disability Resources for Colorado Office is a trusted source for information on long-term services and support options available to older adults. Older Coloradans who need help getting access to nutritious food can call 1-844-COL-ADRC (+1 844 265-2372) for more information.

Another helpful resource is, Meals On Wheels. This well-known program delivers daily meals and provides in-home visits to home-bound seniors. For more information, call (303) 297-0408.

Resources for persons with disabilities

Access-a-Ride Grocery Delivery Services: 

Home grocery delivery service is available to all Access-a-Ride (AaR) customers. RTD is offering this service during the COVID-19 state of emergency to provide current Access-a-Ride customers with a food delivery option that does not require leaving home. No fare is required for customers to use this service. Grocery pickup is now available from King Soopers, Safeway, Community Ministry Southwest Food Bank, Senior Hub Senior Solutions, and Adams County Food Bank. Access-a-Ride customers can continue to book trips for essential purposes, including to purchase groceries. Customers must place their grocery order themselves and schedule a pick-up with Access-a-Ride one day in advance. 

https://www.rtd-denver.com/services/access-a-ride

 

 

Contact Us

Location

Denver

Additional Contact Info

Phone
720-944-4DHS (4347)

Hours
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Locations
Richard T. Castro Denver Human Services (Mailing Address - 1200 Federal Blvd., Denver, CO 80204)

Our services have moved to our new location across the street (2929 W. 10th Ave., Denver, CO 80204)

Denver Human Services East (3815 Steele St. Denver, CO 80205)

Arie P. Taylor Municipal Center (4685 Peoria St. Denver, CO 80239) 

Get Started

Apply for help online with Colorado PEAK or call us at (720) 944-4DHS (4347) for more information on how to apply. While our offices are closed, you can still pick up paper applications and submit your completed paperwork.

Other Resources

For more food assistance resources, including food pantries, parks and recreation center meals, and other public assistance benefits, check out our food assistance page.

 

In agreement with the Federal Civil Rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Civil Rights regulations and policies, all people participating in or leading USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on many factors, including race, age, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability. Read the full USDA Nondiscrimination statement. 

 

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