Westminster, Colorado – On August 15, Colorado state representative and candidate for the Eighth Congressional District Shannon Bird toured key community institutions in Greeley to highlight their importance in helping families secure affordable housing and food assistance.
“I grew up in a working class family that at times relied on food assistance, and my family didn’t own a home until I was in college,” Bird said. “I know firsthand how important homeownership is to the American Dream and economic security, and how food assistance programs like food banks and SNAP are crucial to ensuring that every American has a safety net during hard times like these when costs are rising.”
Shannon Bird’s Greeley Tour
Bird, a former Meals on Wheels volunteer, started the day at Greeley-Weld Meals on Wheels to meet with leadership and volunteers and discuss their vital work combatting hunger and isolation for seniors.
Watch Shannon Bird’s video after touring Greeley-Weld Meals on Wheels here.
Bird also joined Greeley-Weld Habitat for Humanity for a tour of Hope Springs, one of the largest Habitat developments in the western U.S. While there, Bird met with Hope Springs homeowners to learn more about their experience and the crucial need for affordable homes in Weld County, where the median home sale now surpasses $500,000.
Shannon Bird meeting with homeowners at the Habitat for Humanity Hope Springs development in Greeley
At the Weld Food Bank, Bird discussed the impacts of Gabe Evans’ vote to cut SNAP – the largest food assistance cut in history. One in four Weld County residents rely on food assistance, and Gabe Evans’ federal budget bill and the tariffs he supports are resulting in higher food costs and projected longer lines at the food bank.
Shannon Bird with Weld Food Bank leadership
While Shannon Bird shows up in the community, Gabe Evans has been hiding and refusing to host an in-person town hall – and even lied after his own visit to the Weld Food Bank, falsely claiming that the Food Bank supported the federal Republican budget bill which gutted SNAP.
About Shannon Bird
Shannon was raised by a single mom and her grandmother, who dealt blackjack in Reno, Nevada and used her tips to help Shannon get through college. They taught her how to work hard, give back and fight for what’s right.
With a passion for improving education for every student, Shannon started in public service by volunteering in her kids’ classrooms and co-founded an organization that empowers students, parents, teachers and communities to create more equitable local schools. She led a bond measure campaign for the Adams 12 district in 2014 to fix and improve local schools, leading to her serving on the Westminster City Council and then in the Colorado State House where she is the Vice Chair of the Joint Budget Committee.
Prior to serving in public office, Shannon worked in the private sector practicing law in the fields of public and commercial finance, helping to get large community projects like roads, bridges, schools and hospitals off the ground.
Shannon is committed to showing up for the people of Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, and working together to deliver real results for hardworking Coloradans and families – because that’s what she’s always done.
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