Arty's Pantry

MISSION: 
Bring together the community of Aims to address barriers that impact student food security.

PURPOSE: 
Improve the health and academic success of the students of Aims Community college.

VISION: 
Create an environment at Aims Community College in which every student, regardless of their affiliation or socioeconomic status, has sufficient access to nutritious food.

All Meetings are scheduled in person on the Aims Greeley Campus, Student Commons, Room 225.

Mondays
2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Current Service Project: Community Care Kit Packing Party - December 2, 2024
Join us to pack care kits for our unhoused community members. For more information email artys.pantry@aims.edu

• November 11, 2024: Help put together Community Care Kits during our weekly meeting 2:30 - 3:30 pm in STCO 225
• November 18th - 22nd: Help Ary's Pantry distribute Thanksgiving Meals - to sign up or for more info email artys.pantry@aims.edu
• No meeting November 25, 2024

All meetings offer an online option via zoom for those who are unable to join in person.

Questions? Email artys.pantry@aims.edu

3rd Wednesday/month
12 - 1:30 p.m.
Student Commons Parking Lot

• October 16, 2024
• November 20, 2024
• NO Food Truck in December, 2024
• NO Food Truck in January, 2025
• February 19, 2025
• March 19, 2025
• April 16, 2025

The Farms to Families Food Truck will not be on campus during holidays and/or days that Aims is closed. 

Visits may be canceled without notice in cases of inclement weather.

2nd Thursday/month
12 - 1:30 p.m.
Roundabout between PSI and AUTO

• October 10, 2024
• November 20, 2024
• NO Food Truck in December, 2024
• NO Food Truck in January, 2025
• February 13, 2025
• March 13, 2025
• April 10, 2025

Visits may be canceled without notice in cases of inclement weather.

2nd Monday/month
12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Parking Lot East of Prairie Building

• October 14, 2024
• November 11, 2024
• NO Food Truck December, 2024
• NO Food Truck January, 2025
• February 10, 2025
• March 10, 2025
• April 14, 2025

Visits may be canceled without notice in cases of inclement weather.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps low-income households in Colorado purchase food. It provides a monthly benefit that helps families and individuals buy the food they need for good health.

The benefit is provided based on income, resources and the number of individuals in the household. Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards are used to receive the benefit and can be used similar to debit cards at participating food stores. The benefit can be doubled in value by shopping at participating markets and food stores that support the Double Up Food Bucks program.

SNAP is part of a federal nutrition program to help low-income households purchase food. County human services departments are responsible for determining eligibility and authorizing SNAP. 

SNAP is good for the local economy. Households participating in SNAP spend more on food. By providing more resources for food, SNAP helps free up cash for households with low-income to buy other essential items, like diapers and medication. As a result, retail sales increase, benefiting stores that sell both food and non-food items.

Nutrition Assistance

• SNAP is the cornerstone of the federal nutrition assistance safety net and the first line of defense against hunger.
• SNAP provides nutrition support to many low-income individuals.
• In 2020, roughly 38% of SNAP participants in Colorado were under the age of 18.

Economic Benefit

• Not only does SNAP help individuals and families when money is tight, the program also benefits our local community.
• Every $5 in new SNAP benefits generates almost $10 in local economic activity.
• Every additional dollar in SNAP benefits generates $1.79 of new spending in the community (Hanson, 2010).

Electronic Issuance

• The Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card is the electronic system that allows SNAP households to access their benefits, similar to debit cards.
• All 50 states have made the transition from paper coupons to the EBT card.
• Participants receive a plastic EBT card, similar to a bank debit card, which can be used at USDA-authorized grocery stores and markets across the country.
• Underserved Population
• On average, more than $87 million in food benefits are issued statewide every month, assisting more than 250,000 households and 499,000 individuals.

Identity

• The identity of the person applying must be verified

Residency

• Clients must currently live in Colorado.

Citizenship

• Must be a US citizen or have a qualifying immigration status.

SSN

• SSN or proof of an application for a SSN must be provided for all individuals requesting assistance.

Household Composition

• A SNAP household is composed of the individuals who buy and cook meals and will receive SNAP benefits together
• Mandatory Members: Who is Included?
  • Spouses living in the same residence.
  • Natural, adoptive, or stepchildren under age 22 living in the same residence as parents.
  • Children under age 18 who are living under the parental care and control of an adult.
  • Individuals who state that they are buying and cooking food together.
• Special Situations
  • Parents of a child in common who are divorced or separated and not living together, the child(ren) can only be included in the SNAP household of one parent.
  • Children of immigrants of undocumented/documented status may qualify for SNAP if they are citizens or if they are under age 18 and are in a qualified immigration status. Parents of undocumented status will not be penalized for applying on behalf of their children. However, they should be added to the application.
  • College students may qualify for SNAP benefits if they meet additional eligibility criteria and have not purchased a college meal plan that covers over half of their meals in a month. These additional eligibility requirements will be explained during the application process.

Income

• Total household monthly gross income must be verified prior to approval unless the individual is eligible for expedited benefits. See the Colorado SNAP website at: https://cdhs.colorado.gov/snap

Resources

• Can include checking and savings accounts, vehicles, homes, etc.
• For most household’s resources are not counted.

Work Requirements

• Unless exempt, individuals must meet certain work requirements.
• Exemptions include, but are not limited to, caring for children under age 6 or a disabled individual, having a disability, or are already working 30 hours a week at minimum wage.
• Able bodied adults without dependents (ABAWD) in their home must meet or be exempt from work requirements in order to receive SNAP for more than three months within a three-year period.

Online Application:

• Found on the PEAK website at: Colorado.gov/PEAK
• The information entered on the PEAK online application is electronically submitted to the county office where the individual or family resides.
• For guides and helpful tutorials on how to navigate PEAK, visit PEAK's frequently asked questions page.

Paper Application:

• Found on the SNAP website at https://cdhs.colorado.gov/snap
• Click on “How Do I Apply” for a list of each type of application.
• Applications can be printed in English, Spanish, or Large Print.
• Paper applications can be filled out and returned by mail, fax or in-person to the local county human services office.
• Click on “county human service office” for an interactive list of county offices, for local county office contact information.

By Phone:

• Contact one of our SNAP Outreach partners at: Hunger Free Colorado 855-855-4626