SOS Food & Health 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.
DU Food Pantry & Swipe Out Hunger
Food Pantry
National studies show that students in higher education are highly vulnerable to food and housing insecurity. We know this is the case at DU, as well. The University of Denver is dedicated to supporting our community.
The DU Food Pantry will now:
- Be a Food Bank of the Rockies Hunger Relief partner,
- Receive fresh produce weekly from DU Dining,
- Receive contributions from Well@DU to provide monthly fresh produce and snacks,
- Participate in King Soopers Community Rewards member, and
- Remain supported by DU Advancement for long-term resource growth.
The Food Pantry is located in Driscoll Student Center South on the first floor, room 6 to the left of the ID office.
If you have any questions or concerns please outreach to foodpantry@du.edu.
If you need additional resources, see our list of Denver Metro Area Resources.
Swipe Out Hunger
Swipe Out Hunger is a national nonprofit committed to ending college student hunger. DU partners with Denver Dining to provide free meal swipes to students in need. Students who qualify can receive meal swipes each term, excluding Summer Term. Students can use swipes at any station on the 2nd floor of the Community Commons.
In addition, donation drives are held each quarter where 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 about Swipe Out Hunger, check out the Swipe Out Hunger website.
Swipe Out Hunger Application information:
Please complete the Swipe Out Hunger application to determine whether you qualify for the program. Once submitted, you will receive outreach from an SOS staff member. They will tell you whether you qualify and coordinate a time to meet to discuss your application. SOS staff will also work with you to explore other resources to assist with food access.
If you need any additional assistance feel free to take a look at our Student Resource List.
You may also contact sos@du.edu for additional support.
Additional Resources
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:
- General Customer Service Line: 800-511-5010, customer.service@coaccess.com
- Medical Application Assistance Customer Service: 855-221-4138 or 303-755-4138, appassist@accessenrollment.org
- https://www.coaccess.com
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps low-income households in Colorado purchase food. It provides a monthly benefit that helps families and individuals buy the food they need for good health.
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.
No-Cost Food and Grocery Services
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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.
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GrowHaus
The GrowHaus’ food access programs offer healthy and affordable food options for residents of Globeville and Elyria-Swansea. The GrowHaus programming is currently operating out of two hub locations in Denver.
All food access programming, including our no-cost, low-cost, and social enterprise food box program, is operating out of a warehouse in Park Hill.
- Phone: (720) 515-4751
- Location: 3840 York St. Denver, CO 80205
- For Food Box program inquiries, email foodboxes@thegrowhaus.org
- For general inquiries, email reachout@thegrowhaus.org
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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
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Same Café
Same Café offers an exchange program for which volunteers are offered a hot meal for half an hour of work. If you want to exchange volunteer time for a meal, just show up at the Café and order a delicious meal! When you check out, let us know you would like to exchange time for the meal and we will get you signed up for a shift that day
- Phone: 720-530-6853
- Location: 2023 East Colfax Ave
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Capitol Hill Community Services
Capitol Hill Community Services offers meals at two locations in metro Denver. Our mission is to provide reliable, healthy meals to the homeless and poor that will enable a return to a self-sufficient life.
- Trinity United Methodist Church
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 11:45AM-12:15PM
- Agape Christian Church
- Saturday 11:30AM-12:15PM
Contact information: 303-847-8239
- Trinity United Methodist Church
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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
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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
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Holy Ghost Church
- Sandwiches line Monday-Saturday 10AM-10:30AM
- 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
- Contact: socialministry.holyghostden@gmail.com
- Phone: (303) 297-3441
- Service Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 AM -3:30 PM (in basement)
- Location: 1900 California Denver, Colorado 80202
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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.
- 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
- Phone: 303-534-4014
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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 - Thursday 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
Housing
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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
COVID CHANGES
- There are no restrictions for how long someone can stay
- Hours of Operation: Now a 24/7 shelter
- Those looking for shelter should call us at 10am daily at 303-534-5411 to inquire about bed availability and complete a brief phone screen
- In order to secure a bed over the phone at 10am, individuals will be asked to provide documentation of at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. We do not hold or reserve beds for subsequent dates. New guests will be required to complete a Covid-19 rapid test upon arrival.
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Denver Rescue Mission
- For men:
- 48th Avenue Center
- 4600 48th Ave
- open 24/7 offering 3 meals a day, showers, restrooms and access to the Mission's Next Step Service
- 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
- The Crossing
- New life program 9-12 month program young adult or adult men to help get life back on track
- 48th Avenue Center
- 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
- For men:
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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
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.