Hunger Through My Lens

Shining a light on the realities of hunger in Colorado.

Hunger Through My Lens is an advocacy project that provides real-life experts—Coloradans who have experienced hunger firsthand— with a platform to share their stories. The project includes photography from throughout the state, including Denver, the San Luis Valley, the Roaring Fork Valley, and Prowers County. The photo exhibit tours the state to spark dialogue about hunger, and includes a new virtual reality experience.

Aaron, Roaring Fork Valley

When you have to answer, ‘whats for dinner?’

Aaron, Roaring Fork Valley

Hunger can cause stress (1 of 2)

Aaron, Roaring Fork Valley

Hunger can cause stress (2 of 2)

Andrea, Denver

The stress of $50 a week

Andrea, Denver

Framed by my motivators

Belinda, San Luis Valley

The boys and the cost of food continues to grow, but our food budget doesn’t.

Carolyn, Denver

Reverse disparity (1 of 2)

Carolyn, Denver

Reverse disparity (2 of 2)

Chase, Roaring Fork Valley

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Edith, Roaring Fork Valley

I don’t know how to cook with this

Elia, Prowers County

Life line

James, Prowers County

Who can afford to eat meat?

Jill, Denver

Have you ever pushed this cart?

Karen, Roaring Fork Valley

Sustainable harvest

Norma, Roaring Fork Valley

Food brings family together

Robbie, Denver

Just because you have a kitchen doesn’t mean its always filled with food

Robin, Denver

Better than candy

Robin, Denver

NOvember

Robin, Denver

Happy SNAP Day

Sallie, Denver

Food is medicine too

Sondee, Prowers County

Hoping for a hunger free Colorado

Stephanie, San Luis Valley

Paid in potatoes

Stephanie, San Luis Valley

I wish I could fill my cart

Tasha, Prowers County

Earths last little bit

Tasha, Prowers County

Living off the land

Thomas, San Luis Valley

Beautiful barrier

Tricia, Denver

Will work for food

Victoria, Denver

Still waiting

Yvonne, Denver

Todays options at the food bank

Zion, Denver

Balancing act
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Share a Story

Each situation is unique, but no one is in this alone. By sharing your experience and story of struggle or triumph, you can encourage others and elevate the issue of hunger in the community dialogue.

The Story Behind Hunger Through My Lens

In 2013, Hunger Free Colorado introduced Hunger Through My Lens to provide real-life experts—Coloradans who have experienced hunger firsthand—with a platform to share their stories about the realities of hunger throughout Colorado. Hunger Through My Lens was based on the photovoice model, a form of participatory action research developed by Caroline Wang and Mary Anne Burris. It’s three main goals are to:

  • enable people to record and reflect their community’s strengths and concerns
  • promote discussion about important issues through group discussions of photographs
  • reach and influence policy makers

Due to its impact and success, Hunger Through My Lens expanded from Metro Denver to share perspectives from different regions of the state, including the San Luis Valley, the Roaring Fork Valley and the Arkansas River Valley.

In 2018, Hunger Through My Lens evolved to become a broader storytelling and advocacy platform to support more Coloradans in sharing their stories and experiences with decision makers. In addition to photography, Coloradans are now be able to share their story through written, video or audio recordings, as well as personal artwork.

For more information on Hunger Through My Lens, contact Ellie Agar.