(EDITOR’S NOTE: For more photos, see “Roadrunner food bank” here at CrimsonWire.org)
LAS CRUCES, N.M. — During this Hunger Action Month, the Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico helped provide food to about 760 families with the support of volunteers Saturday morning, Sept. 19.
The produce pop-up distribution took place from 7 to 11 a.m. in the Mesilla Valley Mall parking lot. However, long lines of cars began forming early in the morning, with some families arriving as early as 5:30 a.m.
Five semi-trucks filled with 200,000 pounds of fresh food were already at the site, where staff and volunteers unloaded the food and put it in the cars of people waiting in line.
Within the first 25 minutes, the food bank had served around 300 households. By the end of the day, organizers said they had served about 760 households, 30% more households than they did during last year’s event.
“People in poverty but also people above the poverty line who have jobs, are dealing with food insecurity issues,” Jameson MacDonnell, a strategic adviser for Roadrunner Food Bank, said.
The food bank works with farmers in the United States and Mexico, as well as other food organizations to provide food to communities across New Mexico. The distribution includes fresh protein, vegetables and fruit, along with donated products.
“People who don’t have money, they don’t have food. They can’t afford to do anything else. They need food now,” Efrain Trigueras, Roadrunner Food Bank’s vice president of operations for Southern New Mexico and Mexico, said.
Many New Mexico State University students also volunteered at the event, helping staff distribute food to families throughout the morning. For some of them, the experience was humbling as they helped address food insecurity among children, adults, seniors and veterans.
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