Colorado Food Program information for emergency shelters

The CFP serves:

• All children 18 years and younger are living in emergency shelters.
• Adults who are 19 years of age or older with documented disabilities who reside in an emergency shelter.
   

Eligible emergency shelters :

• A 501(c)(3) nonprofit or public entity (a municipal, county, state, or federal government agency) that provides temporary residence to children and their parents or guardians.
• Day shelters that do not provide overnight care can participate in the CFP however, before a day shelter operates the CFP the state office must have assurances that the shelter is a legitimate provider of services to homeless children, and that it is able to certify that the children who receive meals and snacks are residents of emergency shelters.
  
   

For emergency shelters, participation in CFP:

• Helps cover the cost of three meals or two meals and a snack per child each day.
  • How much money you might receive?
    • Cost Benefit tool in English. (Google spreadsheet)
    • Cost Benefit tool in Spanish (Español). (Google spreadsheet)
• Offers nutrition education and professional development opportunities for shelter staff.
• Can support the cost of staff responsible for carrying out the CFP program.

For children, participation in CFP:

• Exposes them to new, healthy foods.
• Provides healthy meals so they can learn, thrive, and be curious about the world around them.
• Supports their social skills and language development during meal time.

For families, participation in CFP:

• Supports the healthy development of their children during the critical early years.
• Allows family members to eat and prepare meals together.