The No Cost Grocery program at Food to Power, a nonprofit in Colorado Springs, continues to draw large crowds as food prices rise and government assistance declines. At a recent event, people began lining up three hours before the doors opened, seeking fresh produce, pantry staples, and household goods provided at no cost.
Food to Power hosts these pop-up grocery events twice weekly at its Hillside Hub location. Shoppers do not need to meet eligibility requirements or fill out paperwork; they simply sign up on the day of the event. The program aims to support individuals and families facing hunger and food insecurity—a problem affecting nearly 70,000 people in El Paso County according to Feeding America.
Andrea Torres, who previously volunteered with Food to Power while attending Pikes Peak State College and now shops there after her work shifts, described the program’s impact: “It means a lot,” she said. “And it helps a lot of people.”
Food to Power’s executive director Patience Kabwasa reported an unprecedented need for food assistance as costs have risen and public aid has decreased. “This is a moment in time when people need food exponentially more than they ever have in recent history,” Kabwasa said.
To help address this demand, UCHealth recently awarded Food to Power a $30,000 grant as part of $775,000 distributed across 76 organizations statewide. Last year alone, UCHealth contributed $1.3 billion in community benefits—including $568 million in uncompensated care—to improve health outcomes in Colorado communities.
Kabwasa called the UCHealth grant a “lifeline” during challenging times: “We believe fresh food is a human right,” she said.
The nonprofit operates a quarter-acre farm that produced over 10,000 pounds of vegetables last year under farm director Shane Nelson. In addition to supplying its own programs like No Cost Grocery and No Cost Delivery—which brings groceries directly to seniors and those unable to travel—Food to Power also supports similar initiatives elsewhere in town.
Since its founding by volunteers in 2013 as a food rescue operation collecting unsold but edible goods from local stores, Food to Power has expanded its focus toward building what Kabwasa describes as a “thriving, equitable food system.” The organization has eight employees and an annual budget of $1.2 million.
In 2022 it opened the Hillside Hub featuring gardens, greenhouses, composting operations and event space—all intended both for immediate relief and long-term community benefit.
Kabwasa emphasized ongoing challenges such as canceled federal grants—including one from the Environmental Protection Agency that would have supported their composting enterprise—and potential cuts or delays in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to federal shutdowns or proposed budgets.
Despite these difficulties, Kabwasa remains committed: “We are going to feed the people we can with the resources we have,” she said. “Will we be able to alleviate hunger? Not alone.”
She also noted positive developments including new state funding measures for Healthy School Meals for All—supported by additional taxes on higher-income taxpayers—which will ensure free breakfast and lunch for all public-school students in Colorado.
Reflecting on UCHealth’s support amid rising demand for their services—21,000 more people sought help between 2023 and 2024—Kabwasa said: “It’s going to help us continue to feed families with fresh food in a time when we are experiencing unprecedented need.”
