IFCS | A Denver Area Food Bank and More to Nourish Lives

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Committed to Community – No Matter What Comes Next

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Letter from our Executive Director, Sandra Blythe-Perry
First published July 21st, 2025. We will update this page as the situation evolves. 

 

At Integrated Family Community Services (IFCS), our mission is simple but powerful: To Nourish Lives. We strive to uphold this mission every single day by serving individuals and families facing food insecurity and financial hardship in our community.

With the recent signing of a new federal bill by President Donald Trump, many in our community are wondering what this means for food assistance programs and those who rely on nonprofit organizations like ours. While IFCS does not take political positions, we are deeply aware of how legislative decisions can impact the people we serve, and we are committed to staying focused on what matters most: ensuring that no one in our community goes hungry.

 

Understanding the New Legislation

Though the bill covers a broad range of topics, several provisions could significantly affect food security and community services. These include:

  • Changes to food assistance programs, such as reductions in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) funding or eligibility requirements.
  • Shifts in government support for nonprofits, including potential decreases in federal or state funding for food banks and human service organizations.
  • Regulatory changes that may affect how nonprofits operate and serve vulnerable populations.

These changes could have wide-reaching effects, especially for families already living on the margins.

 

What This Means for the People We Serve

At IFCS, we remain unwavering in our role as a first responder for the community. We are not aligned with any political agenda—we are aligned with people. And we are prepared to meet this moment.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many organizations struggled to adapt. IFCS, however, drew upon our decades of experience to remain resilient. We knew how to stretch every dollar and pivot quickly. We have always filled the gaps, especially when other programs fall short. That’s what we’ll continue to do now.

We’re already seeing the early effects of social and political changes on our community:

  • Rising food costs.
  • Increased demand from immigrant families and those impacted by shifting federal enforcement.
  • A growing number of families are relying on IFCS not just for supplemental help, but as their primary source of food.

A recent survey of our participants revealed that more households than expected depend on our pantry services as a lifeline. The ripple effects of reduced assistance will go beyond hunger—they will impact community health, child development, senior stability, and overall family wellbeing.

 

Our Response Plan: Prepared, Proactive, and Rooted in Compassion

IFCS has been a steady hand through turbulent times—from the Vietnam War to the gas crisis, through the dot-com bust, the “great recession” of 2008, and into the pandemic. For more than 60 years, we’ve shown up for our neighbors—and we’re not stopping now.

Here’s what we’re doing in response:

  • Partnering with local leaders and organizations to address anticipated needs.
  • Launching emergency appeals for food and financial support.
  • Preparing for an influx of families who may lose SNAP benefits—we are ready to serve 500+ new households if needed.
  • Engaging in public education and policy discussions to highlight the real-world effects of these decisions.

We are here, and we are ready.

 

A Call to Action: We Need You Now More Than Ever

Now is the time for our community to come together.

  • Donors – Your support allows us to keep our shelves stocked and our doors open. Please consider increasing your contribution if you’re able. See the many ways you can donate here.
  • Volunteers – Your time and energy fuel our operations. Join us in this essential work. Get more information on volunteering here.
  • Community Leaders and Policymakers – We urge you to consider the lived experiences of those affected by these policy changes and to support initiatives that promote food security and dignity.

Together, we can make sure that no one is left behind. IFCS will continue to Nourish Lives—no matter the climate, no matter the challenge.

With gratitude,

Sandra Blythe-Perry
Executive Director
Contact Sandra Here

 

Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or  retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

  1. Mail:
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
  2. Fax:
    (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or 
  3. Email:
    program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

This statement was updated 8.3.22 in accordance with USDA updates and guidelines.

Eligibility Guidelines

IFCS Enrichment Programs have service area and income guidelines.

SERVICE AREA GUIDELINES:
For IFCS Enrichment Programs, we have a service area covering:

  • Western Arapahoe County: Centennial, Englewood, Glendale, Greenwood Village, Littleton, Sheridan, and unincorporated Arapahoe County.
  • Southwest Denver Neighborhoods: Bear Valley, College View, Fort Logan, Harvey Park, Harvey Park South, Marston & South Platte (Southwest Neighborhoods further defined as being south of Jewell and west of Santa Fe).
  • Northern Douglas County: Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Lone Tree.

  • Jefferson County: All addresses within the county will be considered.

Applications outside of these listed areas will not be accepted.


INCOME GUIDELINES:
As of March 1, 2025, a household may meet income-based standards in either of the following two ways:

  1. Participate in one of these public assistance programs:
    • Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
    • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
    • Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
    • Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
    • Old Age Pension (OAP)
    • Aid to Needy Disabled (AND)
    • Aid to the Blind (AB)
    • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
    • Medicaid Eligible Foster Children
  1. If the household does not participate in any of the above public assistance programs, the household must have a combined gross income that does not exceed the maximum income limit for the applicable household size.

ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES:
Please refer to the Interest Form for additional, program-specific criteria.

Eligibility and Income Guidelines

Anyone experiencing food insecurity and self-identifying as meeting the Income Guidelines below is eligible for IFCS Food Market services.

Income Guidelines:
As of March 1, 2025, a household may meet income-based standards in either of the following two ways:

  1. Participate in one of these public assistance programs:
    • Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)
    • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
    • Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
    • Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
    • Old Age Pension (OAP)
    • Aid to Needy Disabled (AND)
    • Aid to the Blind (AB)
    • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
    • Medicaid Eligible Foster Children
  1. If the household does not participate in any of the above public assistance programs, the household must meet the requirements based on the chart below, having a combined gross income not exceeding the maximum income limit for the applicable household size.

For IFCS Financial Assistance Programs (Rental and Utility Bill Payment Assistance), we have a service area of western Arapahoe (Centennial, Englewood, Glendale, Greenwood Village, Littleton, and Sheridan) and southwest Denver Neighborhoods. This includes Bear Valley, College View, Fort Logan, Harvey Park, Harvey Park South, Marston & South Platte (Southwest Neighborhoods further defined as being south of Jewell and west of Santa Fe). IFCS Rental Assistance Programs may be limited to the cities listed within Arapahoe County.

For IFCS Enrichment Programs, we have a service area covering:

  • Western Arapahoe County: Centennial, Englewood, Glendale, Greenwood Village, Littleton, Sheridan, and unincorporated Arapahoe County.
  • Southwest Denver Neighborhoods: Bear Valley, College View, Fort Logan, Harvey Park, Harvey Park South, Marston & South Platte (Southwest Neighborhoods further defined as being south of Jewell and west of Santa Fe).
  • Northern Douglas County: Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Lone Tree.

  • Southern Jefferson County: South Lakewood, Littleton, Morrison (Neighborhoods further defined as being south of Jewell along the C-470 Corridor – including Columbine, Bow Mar, Dakota Ridge, and Ken Caryl Ranch) 

 Applications outside of these listed areas will not be accepted. (Central Denver, North Denver, and Aurora applications will not be accepted.)