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Jefferson County proclaims Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week; officials urge continued assistance
Summary
The Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners declared November 2025 Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, cited local impacts from a recent SNAP pause and called for continued community support and partnerships with local food banks and shelters.
Jefferson County commissioners on Nov. 18 declared November 2025 Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week and urged residents to remain engaged in local food- and housing-support efforts.
"We know that that is certainly the case not only in our community, but other communities as well," Commissioner Leslie Dahlkemper said as she read the proclamation, adding that "38,000 GEFCO residents, including 13,000 children" were affected by a temporary pause in SNAP benefits. Dahlkemper thanked county staff, local food banks, faith-based partners and volunteers for emergency response efforts.
Commissioner Zenzinger, citing the January 2025 point-in-time count, said there were 10,774 people experiencing homelessness across the seven-county Denver metro and urged donations and volunteerism. "No one should have to worry about whether they will have food on their plate or a roof over their head," Zenzinger said.
Carrie Renick, Jefferson County regional homeless coordinator, thanked partners including the Action Center and provided local figures for the county: she said roughly "1 in 13 GEFCO residents" are food insecure and noted more than 1,100 individuals experiencing homelessness within Jefferson County.
The board's proclamation cites disproportionate effects on children, veterans, seniors and people with disabilities and calls for continued collaboration among government agencies, nonprofits, faith-based organizations and community members. As part of the observance, county staff posed for an official photo and the proclamation set no specific new policy action at the Nov. 18 session.
The county directed residents seeking assistance or more information to jeffco.us/humanservices and asked community members to continue contributing to food drives and local shelters.
