Now open to all non-profit organizations in Colorado!
Sign up to SNAP-Up! All charitable food organizations in Colorado can participate in the Colorado SNAP-Up Challenge to increase education and enrollment for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Challenge runs from March 1 through May 31, 2013, and cash prizes will be awarded to the winners in June 2013.
There are two ways to compete in the 2013 SNAP-Up Challenge — the Education Challenge and the Enrollment Challenge. Review the FAQ section for more information and to access downloadable files.
SNAP-Up Education Challenge
Education will be determined by which site refers the most clients to the Hunger Free Hotline for SNAP screening and enrollment. This information will be tracked and captured through the Hunger Free Colorado database during the Challenge timeframe. It will be important for tracking purposes that your referred clients mention your organization’s name when asked “How did you hear about us?” More than 100 charitable food agencies listed in Hunger Free Colorado’s statewide database will automatically be entered into the Education Challenge.
Cash prizes will be awarded:
- Tier 1 (sites serving 100 or less unique households): $1,000
- Tier 2 (sites serving 101-249 unique households): $1,000
- Tier 3 (sites serving 250 or more unique households): $1,000
SNAP-Up Enrollment Challenge*
Enrollment will be calculated by the site’s numbers of clients who apply for SNAP at their agencies, which are reported to Hunger Free Colorado. To ensure that each client received these services, Hunger Free Colorado will complete a random sampling audit of a set percentage of clients reported by each participating agency. It’s recommended that sites notify clients in advance that Hunger Free Colorado may contact them to verify their enrollment.
Complete this registration form to sign-up for the Enrollment Challenge.
Cash prizes will be awarded:
- Tier 1 (sites serving 100 or less unique households): $1,500
- Tier 2 (sites serving 101-249 unique households): $1,500
- Tier 3 (sites serving 250 or more unique households): $1,500
*To participate in this Challenge, sites must complete a free SNAP Enrollment training provided by Hunger Free Colorado.
Learn more about free SNAP Enrollment training from Hunger Free Colorado or call the Hunger Free Hotline at (855) 855-4626.
Frequently Asked Questions: Colorado SNAP-Up Challenge
How were sites chosen and invited to the Challenge?
The sites invited to the Challenge represent areas outside of the Denver metro area where the most families and individuals who may be experiencing food hardship could benefit from SNAP education and enrollment.
More than 100 charitable food agencies listed in Hunger Free Colorado’s statewide database have been automatically entered into the SNAP-Up Education Challenge. Organizations must register for the SNAP-Up Enrollment Challenge, using the registration form link above. Please note that all sites participating in the Enrollment Challenge must complete a free, on-site SNAP Enrollment training session with Hunger Free Colorado. Sites are encouraged to participate in both challenges.
What are the two competition categories?
There are two categories with three tiers: Tier 1 (sites serving 100 or less unique households), Tier 2 (sites serving 101-249 unique households) and Tier 3 (sites serving 250 or more unique households).
What are the prizes? And what are the guidelines for expending the cash awards?
Cash awards will be given to the top sites in each of the three tiers:
- $1,000 for the Education Challenge
- $1,500 for the Enrollment Challenge
The cash awards will be provided to the winning sites in June 2013, which are to be used at the executive director’s discretion.
What is a potentially-eligible client?
A potentially-eligible client is an individual who has been helped by your organization regarding SNAP enrollment, and your organization has utilized the provided SNAP screening tool to determine if they may be eligible for SNAP.
When does the competition take place?
Both challenges runs from March 1 through May 31, 2013, and cash prizes will be awarded to the winners in June 2013.
Is there a deadline to register for the Challenge?
No, but it’s better to register sooner rather than later since the challenges only take place from March 1 through May 31, 2013.
How will data be collected each month?
The Education Challenge will be determined by which site refers the most potentially eligible SNAP referrals to the Hunger Free Hotline for SNAP screening and enrollment. This information will be tracked and captured through the Hunger Free Colorado database during the Challenge timeframe. It will be important for tracking purposes that your referred clients mention your organization’s name when asked “How did you hear about us?”
The Enrollment Challenge will be calculated by the site’s numbers of clients enrolled in SNAP at their agencies, which are reported to Hunger Free Colorado. To ensure that each client received these services, Hunger Free Colorado will complete a random sampling audit of a set percentage of clients reported by each participating agency. It’s recommended that all participating sites notify their clients in advance that they may be contacted by Hunger Free Colorado since they could receive a call as part of the random sampling in regards to their enrollment and experience.
Can you count a household for each Challenge category?
A household can be claimed for each category—if both the education and enrollment efforts are provided to that household.
For what will the site be responsible?
Hunger Free Colorado will provide an informational/promotional poster that should be displayed in a highly-visible space for staff and volunteers. You may partner with another site to further internal promotion of the challenges.
How do we learn more or join the Challenge?
Contact Amanda Garrard, Food Assistance Program Manager, at (303) 228-7959 or for general inquiries as well as to schedule a training for SNAP Enrollment or confirm your site’s participation in the Enrollment Challenge.
Download SNAP-Up Challenge materials and forms:
FAQ for SNAP-Up Challenge 2013
SNAP-UP Enrollment Pantry Challenge Entry Form (Fillable PDF)
Colorado SNAP-Up Challenge 2013 Letter
Colorado SNAP-Up Challenge 2013 – Info Flier
