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Empty Fridges, Full Hearts: Supporting Single Parents in the Fight Against Hunger

“I cannot remember the last time my fridge was full of food.” – Single parent of three
Food insecurity is a harsh reality for many families in our community. Nearly 20% of Colorado households with children report that their kids are not eating enough because food is unaffordable. At Project Self-Sufficiency of Northern Colorado, this statistic is deeply personal—79% of the single-parent families we serve rely on SNAP benefits. Hunger Free Colorado reports, “A Coloradan, on average, only receives $1.98 per meal in SNAP benefits, making it a challenge to put healthy food on the table for themselves and their family.” For parents striving to provide for their children, this often isn’t enough.

Many of our families also turn to county, church, and campus food banks and loved ones for support, yet the need remains great. Through Project Self-Sufficiency, we provide additional assistance, with an average disbursement of $252.79 per food request. For these families, access to nutritious food can mean the difference between survival and the ability to focus on creating a stable, thriving future.

More Than Meals: Building Self-Sufficiency
Food insecurity is just one of the many challenges our families face. We provide wraparound services, helping single parents address barriers to self-sufficiency while pursuing education, careers, and a brighter future for their children.

How You Can Help
Your support makes this work possible. By contributing, you ensure single parents have access to essential resources like food, empowering them to create lasting change for their families and their communities.
Invest in their futures by making a one-time or monthly gift today: >>Donate Now. Together, we can ensure no child goes hungry—and every family has the opportunity to thrive.

Resource:
Hunger Free Colorado

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Driving Generational Change: Victoria’s Journey to Success

At Project Self-Sufficiency, we empower single parents and their children by creating generational opportunities for success. Now in its 39th year in Larimer County and third in Weld County, our impact continues to grow.

A key partner in this mission, Houska Automotive, a third-generation family business, has been driving families toward success for over 72 years. This summer, their generosity made a life-changing impact on Victoria, a respiratory therapy student, and her son, D’Andre. Thanks to Houska’s donation of a reliable SUV, Victoria can now focus on her career and education without the constant worry of transportation.

“The Houska Automotive team is proud to be able to donate a vehicle to a family of Project Self-Sufficiency for the 16th year,” said LJ Houska, Vice President of Houska Automotive. “Raising kids is not an easy job, especially if you don’t have reliable transportation. Hopefully, this car will make Victoria’s life a little easier. Helping with transportation needs and issues is what we have done for the past 72 years.”

Weld Community Outreach and Program Advisor Mistie Trefry explained, “Victoria had to borrow a family member’s car after her vehicle broke down. If Victoria is unsuccessful in her academic achievements, more than a degree is riding on it: It would mean repaying her employer for the education expenses they are covering if she is unable to complete her degree successfully.”

“I have worked in healthcare for over 15 years, and I have seen that respiratory therapists are the EMTs of the hospital – I want to be a part of that,” shared Victoria. “During COVID, I saw an RT’s vital role in their patients’ care and how much of a difference they make.”

This partnership with Houska is not just about cars—it’s about driving real, lasting change for families like Victoria’s.

>>Read the encore story published in Bizwest, August 2024.

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