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

IFCS in the News

We're grateful for the support of our community news reporters!

IFCS is on a mission to nourish lives and build stronger communities. In the fall of 2022, we realized that adequate response to increased hunger would not be sustainable with inflation, cuts to funding, and fewer donations.

When we’re feeling the limitations of these tough economic times, and need to call on the support of our community, we’re grateful for the help of great reporters! Thanks to our local media professionals for getting the word out to the community about our programs’ growth and financial needs. Thanks also to all who are responding with financial support to help nourish lives and build a stronger community through our OneCanFeed.org Hunger Alleviation Campaign.

Press Release

November, 2023

In times of increased hunger and financial strain, IFCS shared news of their annual Fresh Thanks holiday food distribution. Taking place on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at Arapahoe Community College, the event shows IFCS’ dedication to a culturally responsive approach to food security.

Colorado Community Media

Published November 16 & 20, 2023

Reporter Elisabeth Slay shared about IFCS’ Fresh Thanks food distribution in advance of the November 18, 2023 event.

On November 20, Elisabeth followed up with an article in the Littleton Independent about the event.

Rocky Mountain PBS

Published November 22, 2023

Reporter Lindsey Ford interviewed Sandra Blythe-Perry at IFCS’ Fresh Thanks food distribution event for a RMPBS Colorado Voices segment. The food insecurity in the community continues years after the pandemic, and inclusive food boxes are helping provide fresh, nutritious meals for the holiday season.

CBS News Colorado

Aired November 6, 2023

CBS Colorado Reporter Dillon Thomas visited to interview Todd McPherson, IFCS Development Director, and Perian Cooper, IFCS Accounting Clerk and former program participant, regarding a donation from the Denver Nuggets and Kroenke Sports Charities. Upon the Nuggets’ championship season, $680,000 from team ticket and gear sales were given to 47 local non-profits, including IFCS.

Denver 7

Aired September 11, 2023

Denver 7 Reporter Brandon Richard visited IFCS to inteview Allison Taggart, IFCS Program Director, in connection to the Farm Bill set to expire at the end of the month.

If a new Farm Bill is not passed, programs like SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that provides grocery funds for low-income families) and TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program that fills IFCS’ and many other food pantry shelves across the country) are at risk.

Next with Kyle Clark on 9News

Aired June 21, 2023

Kyle Clark’s “Word of Thanks” microgiving campaign featured IFCS on Wednesday and repeated later in the week. This segment highlighted the Market @ IFCS and invited $5 donations from viewers to stock the shelves. An anonymous supporter matched all Word of Thanks Campaign donations dollar-for-dollar.

Press Release

April, 2023

As a follow up to our “Critical Crossroads” story in December of 2022, IFCS shared news of the “market of choice” model that offers a more personalized shopping experience and is more sustainable. Community support in the form of volunteers and donations supports this model in a time of increased need.

CBS News Colorado

Aired June 2, 2023

In connection to the newly-passed Debt Ceiling Bill and an increase in SNAP restrictions for adults age 50-54, Reporter Karen Morfitt of CBS Colorado visited IFCS.

Colorado Community Media

Published July 5, 2023

As a follow up to Nina Joss’ story in December of 2022, Elisabeth Slay visited to see recent updates to the Market @ IFCS and shared this story in the Littleton Independent.

Press Release

November, 2022

We shared our “Critical Crossroads” story with local media, foreseeing the need to reduce access to the IFCS Market in order to provide some assistance to all the families we are seeing at our doors. 

Colorado Community Media

Published December 22, 2022

This story about IFCS, written by Nina Joss, appeared online and in the printed editions of the Littleton Independent, Englewood Herald and Centennial Citizen.

Denver 7

Aired December 26, 2023

Brandon Richard reported on IFCS’ critical crossroads: if adequate funding is not procured, IFCS will need to limit visits to the Market to once per month. 

CBS News

Aired December 28, 2022

Reporter Tori Mason and Photojournalist Mark Neitro captured this story and started a flurry of conversation on Twitter.

9 News (KUSA)

Aired December 28, 2022

Reporter Jaleesa Irizarry shared this story of IFCS’ critical crossroads: high demand is limiting IFCS ability to keep stocks shelved enough to serve everyone needing food support.

Mandy Connell Show on KOA iHeart Radio

Aired on January 4, 2023

On her daily podcast, Mandy Connell spoke with Allison, our Program Director, about IFCS’ struggle to respond to increased community hunger.

Would you like to partner with us?
Support IFCS programs to nourish lives and help alleviate hunger in our community.

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.
  • 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.


INCOME GUIDELINES:
As of March 1, 2024, 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, 2024, 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.)