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 h.o.p.e.'s clients come from a variety of backgrounds and include the homeless, people with disabilities, single parents and struggling working families. 40% of the people served are children and 15% of the people served have a disability.
With the economic downturn the demographics of people who visit the pantry are changing. More working families are facing job loss or mounting expenses, which make it difficult to meet their basic needs.
For 2009, the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) is $22,050 for a family of four. Research suggests that, on average, families need an income of about twice the FPL to meet their basic needs. 16% (67,272) of young children live below the FPL.
An estimated 219,000 Coloradans are "food insecure", meaning they have limited or uncertain access to food.
h.o.p.e. does not require its clients to provide documentation of their income in order to receive food, therefore protecting their dignity. The documentation barrier prevents many families - particularly those seeking food assistance for the first time - from accessing the food they need.
h.o.p.e.'s staff work to tailor their program to the specific needs of their clients, such as special nutritional needs of one member of a household. | 
