Health & Food Resources

Student Outreach & Support helps students in navigating access to basic needs such as health care, food, and housing. If you know someone who could benefit from these sources, please submit an SOS referral, and we will reach out to the student.

 

 

Submit SOS Referral

Health & Counseling Center (HCC) Resources

All undergraduate students pay the Student Health & Counseling Fee (HCF), ensuring eligibility for low-cost, easy-access health and counseling services right on campus. Graduate students are also encouraged to pay the quarterly Health & Counseling Fee in order to have low-cost access to the services available at the HCC.

If you pay your quarterly Health & Counseling Fee (HCF), counseling and medical appointments have very low co-pays. With both the HCF and Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) visits are usually free.

All group therapy visits are also free. More information on the Health & Counseling Fee can be found here. If students are concerned about any additional costs of counseling or medical appointments, they can contact the Health & Counseling Center Directly at 303-871-2205.

Learn More

Medicaid

Colorado offers a Medicaid program that may be available to some students. Interested students can review eligibility requirements or begin their application here. If SOS can help in any way, please let us know.

For application support please use these resources for further information:

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Students who are interested in applying for Colorado SNAP Benefits can view general eligibility requirements here. Eligibility requirements specifically for students can be viewed here.

More students are now temporarily eligible for SNAP benefits as a result of changes in federal law due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Expanded access to SNAP benefits includes students who are eligible to participate in state or federally financed work-study, and students who have a zero federal EFC (Expected Family Contribution). Students must also meet other financial and non-financial SNAP eligibility criteria.

The Department of Education’s Electronic Announcement on this topic provides further links on SNAP benefits and eligibility rules.

DU Food Pantry

The DU Food Pantry will be open beginning Week 1 of Winter quarter, 2021. Students will not be allowed to shop for their own items due to COVID-19 health and safety requirements. The Food Pantry will be handing out pre-packed boxes for people who sign up ahead of time. Details and the weekly order form are available here.

Please make sure to request food boxes in advance. Requests must be completed the Saturday before the scheduled pick-up day.

Pickups will be on Tuesdays from 4 to 8 p.m. when classes are in session, and from 2 to 6 p.m. during breaks. Pickup can be made on the Williams Street side of Centennial Towers. All users are required to wear a mask when they make their pickup.

You can donate to the DU Food Pantry here.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email foodpantry@du.edu.

 

Swipe Out Hunger at DU

During the donation drives held each quarter, students can donate swipes by filling out a donation form at the campus dining hall registers. Swipes are then redistributed to students facing food insecurity through the Student Outreach & Support Office. For more information, check out the Swipe Out Hunger website.

If you are interested in applying for swipes through the Swipe Out Hunger program, please apply here. If you are interested in information regarding the Swipe Out Hunger donation process, please reach out to 303-871-7757 or email Ira.Simon@sodexo.com.

background image of red and gold dome at DU campus

SOS Referrals

If you or another member of the DU community is experiencing housing or food insecurity, and would benefit from connecting to resources, please submit an SOS Referral

Submit a Referral

No-Cost Food and Grocery Services

  • Denver Community Fridge

    The Denver community fridge offers free food 24/7. Fridges with pantry items and fresh food are located in 8 locations across Denver. Find specific locations and more information at the link below.

    Learn More

  • GrowHaus

    GrowHaus is a no-cost Grocery Program with hot meals served at 12:00 PM daily. To sign-up for no-cost groceries, arrive at around 10:00 AM to put your name on the list.

    Explore GrowHaus

  • Hunger Free Colorado

    Hunger Free Colorado, a statewide nonprofit organization, connects people to food resources to meet existing needs. Hunger Free Colorado also seeks policy and social changes in order to move toward a hunger-free state.

    • Phone: (720) 328-1284
    • Location: 1355 S Colorado Blvd Suite 201, Denver, CO 80222

    Explore Hunger Free Colorado

  • Same Café

    Same Café offers an exchange program for which volunteers are offered a hot meal for half an hour of work. You can volunteer for 30-minute meal shifts during the following hours: 9:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM.

    • Phone: 720-530-6853
    • Location: 2023 East Colfax Ave

    Explore Same Café

  • Capitol Hill Community Services

    Capitol Hill Community Services offers no-cost meals at three locations across Denver. Visit the website below for specific meal locations.

    • Phone: 303.847.8239

    Explore Capitol Hill Community Services

  • Friends of St. Andrew Hospitality Center

    Lunch and Food baskets are available to Aurora Residents at St. Andrew Hospitality Center. Please arrive at the center no later than 11 AM. Proof of Residence in Aurora will be required, so please bring a government-issued ID and social security card.

    This proof will need to show that you are a resident of Aurora, currently living with family members in Aurora, experiencing homelessness, or living in a motel in Aurora.

    • Phone: 303-364-2329
    • Hours: Monday-Friday 10:15 AM- 1:15 PM
    • Over 18: Need to bring proof of residence in Aurora
    • Under 18: Need a birth certificate

    Learn More

  • Father Woody’s Haven of Hope: Jay Gould Center

    Father Woody's Haven of Hope offers medical services, showers, food boxes, laundry and phone service (1-3 day turnaround), wireless internet access, clothing bank, mail and document safekeeping, over-the-counter medication, Veteran Affairs Representative, outreach coordinator, and eye clinic.

    • Phone: 303-607-0855
    • Hours of Operation: 7:00 AM - 1:00 PM, Monday-Friday
    • Hot Lunches served at 10 am, Monday-Friday
    • Location: 1101 W. 7th Avenue Denver, CO 80204

    Learn More

  • Holy Ghost Church
    • Sandwiches served in front of church--see schedule on website
    • Socks available year-round, hats & gloves available October-April
    • Personal care items available: soap, razors, shampoo, toothbrushes, etc.
    • Money for work tools must have regular employment
    • Money for vital records including birth certificates, social security cards, I.D. Cards, Licenses
    • Assistance filling out forms (no bilingual currently staff available)
    • Contact: socialministry.holyghostden@gmail.com
    • Phone: (303) 297-3441
    • Service Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 AM -3:30 PM (in basement)
    • Sandwich Hours: Mon-Sat 10-10:30 AM
    • Location: 1900 California Denver, Colorado 80202

    Explore Holy Ghost Church

  • St. Elizabeth of Hungary at Speer and Arapahoe

    St. Elizabeth of Hungary on the corner of Speer and Arapahoe offers sandwich lunches from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM daily, however, sandwiches often run out by 11:30. No ID is required. Clothing and toiletries are also distributed daily after sandwiches run out.

    • Phone: 303-534-4014
    • Hours: Lunch from 11:00 am-12:00 PM Sandwich Line everyday, often runs out by 11:30, please arrive early
    • Location: 1060 St. Francis Way; Denver, CO 80204

    Explore St. Elizabeth of Hungary

  • Volunteers of America Meals

    Volunteers of America Meals is still operating normally with regards to church services and meals. If weather permits, they are doing church and meals outside.

    • Phone: 720-217-3884
    • Meal Hours: Monday - Thrusday 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM, 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM
    • Meal Hours: Friday, 12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
    • Meal Hours: Sunday 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

    Explore Volunteers of America

Housing

  • The Delores Project

    The Delores Project provides safe, comfortable shelter and personalized services for unaccompanied women and transgender individuals who are unhoused. They also work to end houselessness by advocating for solutions to the ongoing housing crisis.

    Phone: 303-534-5411

    Explore the Delores Project

    COVID CHANGES

    • There are no restrictions for how long someone can stay.
    • Individuals can call every day at 10AM to check for openings and complete a brief phone screening
    • Hours of Operation: Now a 24/7 shelter
    • Capacity is smaller (32 beds available) due to social distancing mandates
    • After securing a bed over the phone at 10am, individuals will be required to get a COVID-19 test and provide documentation of negative test results before coming in to claim a bed. We hold reserved beds for up to five days to allow time for testing.
  • Denver Rescue Mission
    • For men:
      • 4600 48th ave open 24/7 3 meals a day beds for the night
      • Lawerence street shelter
      • 1130 Park Ave. West, Denver, CO 80205
      • Phone: 303.294.015
      • Open 365 days a year, the Lawrence Street Shelter offers 173 beds for overnight guests.
      • Shelter opens at 3 or 4 pm for folks to come sleep
      • Community center opens at 7:30AM
      • Lottery 7:30-10:30 am to reserve a bed and get more info on how to get bed for the night
      • New life program 9-12 month program young adult or adult men to help get life back on track
    • For women:
      • 6100 Smith Road (Monday-Friday only from 10AM-11AM) to participate in STAR Transitional Program
      • Women must have income
      • No overnight shelter available for women
    • Phone: 303-297-1815

    Explore Denver Rescue Mission

  • Urban Peak

    Urban Peak has a 40-bed overnight shelter for youth ages 15 through 20. They are open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, and offer a safe and welcoming environment where your rights and identity will be respected. The Urban Peak is a safe space for all members of the LGBTQ+ community.

    • Location: 2100 Stout St. Denver, CO 80205
    • Phone: (303) 974-2900

    Explore Urban Peak