DENVER (KDVR) — Unless Congress reaches a funding deal, SNAP benefits are set to run out in five days.
According to the governor’s office, the federal food assistance program helps feed about 600,000 Coloradans. But the state says it doesn’t have the ability to foot the bill for the program. That’s why a Denver woman is taking matters into her own hands, at least for the people in her building.
Leslie Comstock lives in a mostly low-income apartment complex off Blake Street in downtown Denver. Of the 33 families living there, she estimates about 90% rely on SNAP benefits.
“I feel like we’re at a point in society where the time to wait for help has already ended,” Comstock said.
Concerned that her neighbors don’t have enough to eat, Comstock organizes a food drive herself.
“I think this is the way we have to get things done and keep our communities intact moving forward,” she said.
Comstock She took her plea onlineasking her neighborhood to donate extra food. She also put notes under her neighbors’ doors, asking anyone who needed help with grocery shopping to contact her so she could coordinate deliveries.
“It’s very imperfect,” Comstock said. “I’m just a normal person trying to learn and figure this out as I get older.”
Although not perfect for Comstock, this is exactly what her neighbors say they need. During an interview with FOX31, one of Comstock’s neighbors stopped to thank her.
“She’s really trying to help us,” he said.
While the governor has requested $10 million to support food banks and urged donations, Comstock is concerned that demand will outstrip supply.
In Denver alone, the mayor’s office says nearly 100,000 people rely on SNAP benefits. Comstock encourages other neighborhoods to do the same, hoping people will help each other in their time of need.
“Talk to your neighbors,” she said. “Find out who wants to help, what the actual need is, what is most urgent, what is most urgent, and then go from there.”
If you want to deliver food to Comstock’s neighbors in downtown Denver, you can get there Nextdoor.