Most severe for elderly, disabled
Elissa Hardy, director of client services at Hunger Free Colorado, said the impact of the end of the pandemic aid will be most severe for older people and those with disabilities, because of the way the food assistance program counts income from Social Security. She advised anyone facing hardship to reach out to Hunger Free Colorado or another nonprofit for advice on which expenses they can claim, to increase their monthly allotment.
Losing some food assistance money has an impact on people’s physical and mental health, both because they may worry about how to make ends meet and because they lose some independence, Hardy said. Food pantries are a valuable resource, but recipients have to work around their hours and accept whatever is available, even if it’s not what they’d prefer to eat, she said.
“If you have a SNAP (earned benefits transfer) card, you can use that to go into a store and buy food,” she said.
The Colorado Department of Human Services said that families can roll over unused food assistance dollars for up to nine months, which may help smooth the transition. It also recommended taking steps to stretch food, like freezing produce before it goes bad, stocking up on canned goods and planning meals carefully, to maximize each ingredient.
Hoffman said those aren’t bad ideas, but there’s a limit to what individual families can do. Food insecurity needs solutions at multiple levels, with more federal and state funding to supplement the work local nonprofits do, she said.
“Sometimes you can’t do more with less,” she said. “You can only do less with less. This is not a moral failing on the parts of these families.”
With tax refunds coming in, now is a great time to start thinking about those home improvements and renovations that have been piling up on your honey-do list.
And there’s no better place to start exploring your home improvement and renovation options than by attending the 40th annual Northern Colorado Home and Garden Show, running March 3-5 at the Island Grove Regional Park and Event Center, 421 N. 15th Ave., Greeley.
Mccreery & Sun of Colorado are providing free grab bags as supplies last to visitors to hold all of the goodies and giveaways they collect at the show. The bags can be reused after the show now that Colorado has implemented the plastic bag ban in retail stores.
This year, the show is pulling out all the stops with its Bursting at the Seams and Back to Our Roots shows in the event center and exhibition hall featuring over 150 vendors.
Some of the vendors scheduled to appear at the show include:
• Backyard Dreams
• Laser Design Etchology
• Tri City Heating
• Noco Concrete, LLC
• Wildt Built
• Conduct All Electric
• Beesbody, LLC
• M&M and Things
• Homepride Bath
• All American Gutter Protection
• Spa World
• The Log Candle Company
• Top Notch Tree Service
• Pro Realty
• Dreamstyle Remodeling
• The show’s top sponsors and vendors Aqua Spas, Mcdonald Toyota and Cousins RV will feature products and demonstrations.
Landscaping vendors are returning to the show this year with demonstrations, displays and show specials for gardeners of all skill levels and yard sizes.
Colorado State University Master Gardeners will be on hand giving free, expert advice to guests looking to build, maintain or start landscaping and gardening projects of all shapes and sizes.
Some of the deals and discounts that will be offered to visitors include:
• Free landscape consultation from Water It With Love Landscaping LLC.
• $750 off complete bath remodel from Marble Makeover of Denver.
• A drawing for $500 off from Carpet Mill Outlet.
• Free stamped patio from Decorative Concrete Finishes LLC.
• 30% off carpet, tile, or duct cleaning from Steamway Floor to Ceiling.
• 20% off from Build a Party.
“Artisan Row is back and bigger this year, offering purchases to help make your house a home,” said Lindsay Haines, Special Events coordinator.
The show isn’t just adults, either.
ABC Child Development will be in attendance providing craft projects, a coloring contest and a balloon twister for the youngsters.
Southern Twist Foods, The Blue Trolley Bistro, The Human Bean and The Slawpy Barn food trucks and booths will be on site all weekend to keep visitors’ stomachs filled and thirsts quenched during the show.
Visitors will also be able to purchase concert and rodeo tickets for the popular summer event at the Greeley Stampede ticket trailer, located inside the show. for