Authentic Solutions Consulting

10/25/2025

Supporting Our Community During SNAP Benefits Suspension
Due to the ongoing government shutdown, SNAP benefits have been temporarily suspended, leaving many families in our community struggling to put food on the table.



SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is a federal program that helps low-income individuals and families buy groceries each month. It provides electronic benefits that can be used at most grocery stores and farmers markets to purchase food items and support household nutrition.



During this challenging time, our neighbors need our support more than ever.

The image shows compassionate community volunteers organizing food donations in a warm workshop with natural daylight and a human element.
How You Can Help

Your generosity can make a significant difference during this difficult time. Here are ways to support your neighbors:

Donate non-perishable food items to PCI or local food banks (listed below)

Contribute baby and hygiene items

Volunteer at distribution centers

Spread the word

Make a cash donation

Donate Now
Local Food Banks Ready To Help
These organizations are providing support to affected families:
Our Community Eats
197 Navajo Trail Drive, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
970-902-0130 | ourcommunityeats.com
Weekly food distribution and donation site.

St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church Food Pantry
225 S Pagosa Blvd., Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Thursdays & Fridays, 10 AM – 12 PM
stpatrickspagosa.org/food-pantry
Offers food boxes and fresh/frozen items.

Pope John Paul II Catholic Church Food Pantry
353 S Pagosa Blvd., Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Wednesdays, 9 AM – 11 AM
ihmjp2.org/food-pantry
Weekly food distribution for families and individuals.

Healthy Archuleta / Food System & Food Equity Coalition
80 CR 600, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
401-206-4579 | foodcoalition4archuleta.org
Coordinates the county-wide Food Pantry Network and mobile food pantry.

Archuleta County Department of Human Services (DHS)
550 Hot Springs Blvd., Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
archuletacounty.org/230/Medical-Food-and-Financial-Assistance
Manages SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and food assistance benefits.

Pagosa Community Initiative (PCI)
550 B Hot Springs Blvd (under DHS)
Mon–Thurs, 9 AM – 4 PM
970-585-6521 | familysupport@pagosacommunityinitiative.org
Small emergency shelf to supplement families who can’t make food bank hours.

Together, we can ensure no family goes hungry during this shutdown. If you need assistance or know someone who does, please reach out to PCI or any of the food banks listed above. Our community is stronger when we support each other through difficult times.

10/25/2025

Community Call to Action:

Support Food Access in Archuleta County

In October, more than 1,400 people in Archuleta County relied on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help purchase food, with over $266,000 in benefits distributed locally. With November benefits currently on hold due to the federal government shutdown, many families are facing an immediate gap in food access.

Even in ordinary times, SNAP benefits often fall short of covering the full cost of a meal. In Archuleta County, the average meal costs about $4.16, while SNAP benefits provide only about $2.83 per meal—leaving a 47 percent gap that families must cover in other ways. This pause in benefits deepens the challenge, making community support more important than ever.

Healthy Archuleta is calling on residents to come together to help ensure no one goes without food during this difficult time. Community members can play a vital role by donating nonperishable foods to the Archuleta Food Pantry Network, which accepts drop-offs at the UPS Store in Pagosa Springs, or by volunteering with local partner pantries to assist with food distribution. Financial contributions are especially impactful, as they allow the purchase of high-priority items such as meat, milk, eggs, fresh produce, and culturally preferred foods. By working with Healthy Archuleta, individuals also help strengthen a local, community-based food system where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and benefit.

The Archuleta Food Pantry Network has long served as a backbone of food access in Archuleta County. Partner pantries are located throughout the county, including Community United Methodist Church and Socorro Senior Housing in Downtown Pagosa, Amazing Grace Food Pantry in Aspen Springs, Pope John Paul II Catholic Church, St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, and Our Community Eats in Uptown Pagosa, and the TARA Community Center in Arboles. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these pantries expanded operations rapidly to meet surging demand, and they remain ready today to support families, seniors, and individuals during this period of benefit disruption. The Network thrives on community support, inviting residents to volunteer, donate food, or contribute funds that sustain this county-wide effort.

In addition to pantry services, families can rely on school meals, which continue to be available at no cost to all students. These meals provide steady nutrition for children, ensuring students have the energy they need to focus on learning.

Other local programs are also working to meet needs. Archuleta Seniors, Inc. provides weekday meals through its Community Café at the Ross Aragon Community Center, with both dine-in (by reservation) and take-out options available. Its Meals on Wheels program delivers hot meals, plus sides, five days a week—and seven days a week upon request—to homebound adults aged 60 and older. Community members may call or text 970-264-2167 to reserve meals or learn about volunteer opportunities.

The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program operates locally through the Archuleta County Public Health Department. WIC provides nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, and nutrition education for pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children under five. Families currently receiving WIC benefits can check their app or call the public health department at 970-264-2409.

The Archuleta Food Pantry Network is prepared to meet increased demand, but community donations of food, funds, and volunteer time are essential to filling the gap. Healthy Archuleta invites community organizations, groups, and clubs to host food drives with their networks to support the Archuleta Food Pantry Network. Healthy Archuleta maintains a list of most needed non-perishable items and can support your food drive with marketing, providing the shopping list, and distributing the food through the Food Pantry Network. Please contact Healthy Archuleta at fsfearchuleta@gmail.com for support with hosting a food drive to support our neighbors in accessing food.

Every act of generosity makes a difference in ensuring that no one in Archuleta County goes without access to healthy meals. Healthy Archuleta encourages residents to share this information widely and to stand together in support of neighbors during this temporary disruption. To learn more about the efforts of Healthy Archuleta, please visit our website at www.foodcoalition4archuleta.org

09/10/2025

08/18/2025

Welcome Ashlyn!

Authentic Solutions is happy to announce our newest team member!

Ashlyn Rochester moved to Pagosa Springs at the end of 2023. Since becoming a resident, she’s taken up hobbies like skiing, hiking, consistent coffee consumption and giving back to her community.

Ashlyn found her way to Authentic Solutions after working for Healthy Archuleta as their Communications and Youth Engagement Coordinator. It was this role that led Ashlyn to pivot her career to working with youth in a professional capacity. She’s now attending Western New Mexico University to get her Masters in Social Work.

Ashlyn will be working closely with ASC to relaunch High Fidelity Wrap Around services in Archuleta County. Stay tuned for more details on accessing High Fidelity Wrap Around!

07/26/2025

Since we have heard from a few of you this summer “where is Odin”, we thought we would share. Odin hasn’t been around as much this summer as he has been working hard at home training for the 4-H Dog Show. As of this morning Odin is pleased to share his first place win at the 2025 District 5 4-H Dog Show in Obedience (I know this may feel confusing to those of you whose lap he likes to sit in, paw at, etc.) Don’t worry he is planning on returning to the office soon for as many pettings as he can get. Go Odin!

Ok in all seriousness congratulations to all those 4-H kids who have been working hard with their Dogs and turned out for the dog show this morning. You are all amazing!

07/23/2025

Welcome to the team Joey!

ASC would like to announce the newest member of our team Joey Mainini.

As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Joey has experience working with children and families in public school settings, non-profits, and residential treatment using the power of play, connection, and authenticity. Joey graduated from the University of Houston with his Masters in Social Work in 2022 and became a LCSW in 2024.

Joey uses trauma-informed care and child-centered approaches to create safe, imaginative spaces where children and teens can express themselves, build resilience, and explore their inner world. Whether it’s through play therapy, creative interventions, or simply showing up with genuine presence, Joey meets clients where they are and walks alongside them with compassion and curiosity.

When not in the therapy room, you can find Joey exploring the trails of in Pagosa with his dog, drinking coffee, or spending time with friends and family.

04/21/2025

Authentic Solutions Consulting is looking for a Spanish Speaking Behavioral Health provider, who is willing to provide in person services to Archuleta County residents. ASC is willing to work with licensure candidates as well as internship programs. Contact Stacey Foss at stacey.foss@authenticconsulting.net for more information.

04/05/2025

The Authentic Solutions Consulting team is happy to report we are actively enrolling clients of all ages.

03/11/2025

Authentic Solutions is happy to announce our newest member. Welcome Laurie Gutierrez! Laurie will be joining us as a Behavioral Health Navigator, helping to connect individuals within our community with Behavioral Health Services. We are excited to have Laurie's experience and passion for the Pagosa Springs community on our team!