In Boulder County, million-dollar homes often line our daily commute to work or school — a constant reminder of the prosperity many enjoy. Yet it’s easy to overlook our long-time neighbors who helped build and sustain this community. Among them are seniors, 60 and older, holding tightly to what they value most: their independence. For many, staying in their homes is possible only because of federal safety net programs like SNAP. But recent changes in the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” have quietly placed new burdens on some of the most vulnerable. Groups that were once exempt from work requirements — including veterans — must now provide proof of work to keep their benefits, even if age, disability or health make work impossible. These are not luxuries they’re fighting for; these are the resources they need to survive.

At Coal Creek Meals on Wheels in Lafayette, the people affected by these policy changes are not abstract statistics — they are our neighbors. Every Monday through Friday, our volunteers deliver hot meals to their doors, along with a moment of human connection. Now, because of these new work requirements, many of them are anxious about the future. They worry about how they will remain in their homes, keep up with rising health insurance costs, and maintain their independence without the SNAP support they’ve relied on. To be clear, the people we serve are not seeking handouts. In fact, many insist on contributing toward the cost of their meals, holding fast to their pride and self-reliance. But these changes threaten to punish them for circumstances beyond their control — and in doing so, jeopardize the stability they’ve worked their entire lives to protect.

Unfortunately, we’ve seen this movie before. In 2023, when COVID-era extended SNAP benefits ended, the need for our services at Coal Creek Meals on Wheels doubled in just over three months. That surge forced us to make difficult financial decisions to ensure every person in need still received a meal — the very heart of our mission. Now, with new SNAP work requirements and benefit reductions set to take effect as soon as October 2025, and major state cost-sharing changes coming in 2027 and 2028, I fear we will once again face a surge in need we cannot sustain. Nonprofits were never meant to be the sole safety net for entire communities; we are meant to partner with local and federal governments to meet challenges together. Yet these policy changes shift more of the responsibility onto us, without the resources to match. While we will do everything in our power to step up — as we always have — we cannot do it alone. Now, more than ever, our community must rally together to ensure our neighbors do not go hungry. Because if we fail to act, the cost will be measured not in dollars, but in lives impacted.

Nate Broeckert is the executive director of Coal Creek Meals on Wheels.