Peak Vista braces for influx of people needing food assistance due to federal cuts

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) --Thousands in El Paso County will be impacted when the government cuts back on extra food assistance that began during the pandemic. Now, local health organizations are bracing for the surge in people needing help.

According to officials at Peak Vista, the cuts come at a time when El Paso County already has a record number of people seeking food assistance.

"We do expect people having more needs," said Autumn Roser, Senior Vice President of Health at Peak Vista.

Peak Vista in Colorado Springs launched a new program to help the more than 80,000 people who rely on food stamps in El Paso County. All of them are about to lose $90 in food benefits per family member starting in March.

"So that's $360 for a family of four," explained Roser.  

The reduction in benefits comes after Congress voted to stop paying more for pandemic benefits that started back in 2020. 

"What we are doing with the pending snap reduction is we are really trying to work with community-based organizations, faith-based organizations to make sure the community as a whole is ready to help these patients when they do receive their snap benefits next month," said Roser. 

Peak Vista is now hiring five people who will be dedicated to helping families navigate the benefit reduction by connecting them to less well-known resources. 

"And so as we build that community program up we will be able to connect our patients with these community health works so that they can help them navigate and will be able to get their needs meant," said Roser.  

Peak Vista's non-profit program 'First Visitor' is also ramping up their donations this month ahead of the benefit cuts. The goal is to ensure first-time parents across El Paso County have enough baby formula, diapers, and necessary items for their families. 

For more information on Peak Vista, click here.