Food banks and pantries in need of donations and support this summer
Food pantries and food banks are in dire need of help to help those struggling with food insecurity over the summer.
Updated: May 30, 2024 7:42 PM MDT
Seven News One in five children, one in seven New Mexicans are likely and at risk of going hungry. Local food banks are in desperate need of donations to meet the needs of their communities this summer. Julian Potter reports from Albuquerque, where charities are expecting a large number of people who need help. And that’s true. Organizations like Roadrunner Food Bank have warehouses full of food like this, but they say the demand will be higher because of the summer. And they say that without the resources and volunteers they have now, this warehouse would be empty within a month. Food pantries like ours want to get the word out that help and support is available. Kayla Strickland of the Rio Grande Food Project knows how food insecurity is affecting New Mexicans. According to local food banks, one in five New Mexicans is a child. That means they don’t know if they have enough food. She says one in seven New Mexicans face food insecurity. The demand is growing over time. These days, they’re actually seeing about 1,000 people a week. The problem is, there’s not enough food for everyone. Roadrunner Food Bank says it’s the same situation. We know the need is bigger than we can handle. It’s only when people invest in this food bank and in hunger relief organizations in their own communities that we can build a stronger community. The organization says now is the time to get involved and help by donating food or volunteering. The combination of rising prices and the difficulty of getting food at food banks and pantries means food can’t be obtained the way it used to be. Meanwhile, as food prices rise, the organization itself is increasing its spending to meet the demand. You know, in the last three or four years, we’ve doubled our budget for food purchases. They encourage people to consider getting involved in food collections and volunteering with food groups because it can make a big difference for many families. Get your neighbors together and say, “I want to host a food drive with my neighbors.” Why not collect and set a goal of 1,000 or 2,000 pounds? These items will add up and make a big difference in no time. Additionally, Roadrunner asks that anyone interested in helping out call their helpline. The number will be attached to this article on our website. By Julian Porras-Cote, Action Seven News. According to the food bank, some people who live far from a grocery store may be eligible for assistance from the organization.
Food banks and pantries in need of donations and support this summer
Food pantries and food banks are in dire need of help to help those struggling with food insecurity over the summer.
Updated: May 30, 2024 7:42 PM MDT
“There are many factors that contribute to increased food insecurity during the summer, especially when children are at school and not receiving the normal meals that their families rely on,” said Kayla Strickland. Strickland is co-executive director of the Rio Grande Food Project and says they want to do all they can to help families this summer. The problem is, there isn’t enough food to feed everyone. “The combination of rising prices and food banks and pantries having a harder time getting food in ways they didn’t before makes food less accessible,” Strickland said. Food insecurity has increased for children and all individuals nationwide since 2021, according to a Feeding America survey. In New Mexico, one in seven New Mexicans experience food insecurity, and as many as 20% of children don’t have access to enough food. “I think in the last three or four years, we’ve at least doubled our food budget to buy food,” said Sonia Warwick of Roadrunner Food Bank. While the food bank receives large amounts of donations during the holiday season, Strickland and Warwick say summer is also an important time to donate food. Volunteering is also encouraged. “Consider getting involved,” Warwick says. “Get your neighbors together and say, ‘I want to do a food drive with my neighbors. Let’s collect and maybe set a goal of 1,000 pounds, 2,000 pounds. When all the supplies we collect add up, it really makes a difference.'” To call, call the Roadrunner Helpline at 505-349-5340.
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico —
“There are many factors that contribute to increased demand during the summer, particularly as children are not receiving the regular meals their families rely on during the school year,” Kayla Strickland said.
Strickland is co-executive director of the Rio Grande Food Project and said he wants to do all he can to help families this summer.
The problem is, there isn’t enough food to feed everyone.
“You’ve got a combination of rising prices and food banks and food pantries that are finding it hard to get food the way they used to,” Strickland said.
According to Feeding America research, food insecurity has increased among children and individuals across the country since 2021. In New Mexico, one in seven New Mexicans experience food insecurity, and 20 percent of children also lack access to enough food.
“I would say in the last three or four years, our food costs have at least doubled,” said Sonia Warwick of Roadrunner Food Bank.
While the food bank receives large amounts of donations during the holidays, Strickland and Warwick said summer is an important time to donate food as well, and they encourage people to get involved in volunteering.
“Please consider getting involved,” Warwick said. “Get your neighbors together and say, ‘I’d like to do a food drive with my neighbors. Maybe we can collect some, maybe we can set a goal of 1,000 pounds, 2,000 pounds. That will really make a difference if we add up.”
The phone number is the Roadrunner Helpline at 505-349-5340.
