In response to SNAP benefits being cut, Colorado College Student Government Association (CCSGA) unanimously voted to enact an Emergency Action Plan to help members of the CC and broader Colorado Springs community facing food insecurity.
On Nov. 1, the federal government declined to renew Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The program provides food stamps to nearly 42 million Americans who rely on this assistance to feed themselves and their families.
Federal Judge Jack McConnell ordered the Trump Administration to renew funding for SNAP on Oct. 31. The administration said that it will use $4.65 billion from a contingency fund to “cover 50% of eligible households’ current allotments,” according to CNBC.
It is unclear when this money will be paid out to individual states, further delaying when people will get food assistance.
According to NPR, many communities across the country are finding informal ways to supplement SNAP benefits with informal food pantries and donations to established food banks.
CCSGA is taking its own steps to support CC students and the greater Colorado Springs community members who were relying on SNAP.
“We wanted to make sure that we were showing up in the best way possible for the student body, for students on campus that are using these benefits,” said Student Body President Royce Hinojosa ‘26.
The Emergency Action Plan was developed by the executive members of CCSGA in what Hinojosa called a “coordinated response.” The plan outlines what each committee will be doing to support students in need. Ranging from surveying CC students on the issue to allocating emergency CCSGA funds to feed students whose food stamps have been cut, each committee will continue this work until the government shutdown ends.
According to Hinojosa, CCSGA will develop a temporary oversight committee to assess the success of the action plan during the shutdown. This committee will also work with other on-campus groups, such as the Wellness Resource Center, to provide mental health support to students.
While Hinojosa does not have exact data on the number of CC students who use SNAP benefits, he said, “There are members of our community that do rely on these programs. The consensus is often ‘more than you’d think.’”
Hinojosa is not concerned with the precise number. “The existence of any students using these programs means we have work to do,” said Hinojosa. “If we did all this work to improve access to food for just one student, then it would be well worth our time.”
On Monday, Nov. 3, Hinojosa sent out a statement to the entire student body outlining what they can do if they are facing food insecurity or if they would like to help people in need.
The “Pass a Meal” program allows students to scan their Gold Card twice at Rastalls to receive a voucher that they can give to the Worner front desk to distribute. The vouchers will allow a student to get a meal free of charge. Students do not need to demonstrate need in order to redeem a voucher.
CCSGA will also be running a food drive in conjunction with a Harvest Night at the Fall Festival on Nov. 19. All non-perishable goods will be donated to the CC pantry and off campus food banks.
“Campus-level support is critical in a moment when other systems are failing our students and broader community,” said Hinojosa. “Colorado College has the capacity to be not just a good community member, but a critical piece of a support network.”