The Food Depot News:
SANTA FE — The Food Depot, Northern New Mexico’s food bank, has rapidly mobilized in the past week to support recent emergency responses to fires and flooding across the state.
The food bank collaborated with Roadrunner Food Bank to provide resources during the South Fork Fire and the Salt Fire near Ruidoso.
Following flooding in Las Vegas, N.M. operations mobilized to deliver a semi-truck of bottled water. Now, The Food Depot calls upon the community to enable their continued swift response.
“Food banks have always been on the front lines during a disaster,” Deputy Director Jill Dixon said. “With the community’s help, The Food Depot is prepared to respond to any emergency at a moment’s notice. We remain in close contact with our statewide partners to continue supporting current fire and flooding relief efforts with food, resources, and funds.”
To date, The Food Depot has been supporting the disaster response efforts of Roadrunner Food Bank in Albuquerque, the primary food bank for the Ruidoso area. On June 19, The Food Depot delivered nine pallets of hygiene kits to Roadrunner and will continue responding to requests for support. Since the South Fork Fire began, Roadrunner has delivered almost 100,000 pounds of food and supplies to evacuees and first responders.
After heavy rain disrupted the water supply in Las Vegas, N.M., this weekend the city asked residents to restrict their water usage. The emergency has left tens of thousands of people without drinking water. The Food Depot immediately responded to calls for bottled water from state emergency management, delivering 18 pallets of bottled water just a few hours after receiving the call for assistance.
“Water is necessary for people to survive,” said The Food Depot Distributions Coordinator Samuel Madrid-Huerta. “I got the call about Las Vegas on Sunday morning during my son’s soccer game. I came right into work because The Food Depot is here when people need help. Within three hours, I was able to load the truck, drive to Las Vegas, and unload with the National Guard.”
The Food Depot anticipates an increased need for emergency resources this summer across Northern New Mexico and the wider state. The nonprofit is requesting donations for its disaster assistance fund to help staff respond quickly in the event of any disaster. At this time, the food bank is only collecting monetary donations and donations of bottled water. Funds give The Food Depot the flexibility to quickly mobilize resources and personnel to where they are needed most. All funds donated through the disaster assistance fund will bring hope to communities experiencing emergencies across Northern New Mexico and the wider state. Donations can be made online at thefooddepot.org/disaster-donations/ or checks can be mailed to 1222A Siler Road in Santa Fe.
Donations of sealed bottled water can be dropped off at the lobby of The Food Depot’s warehouse in Santa Fe at 1222A Siler Road. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For Albuquerque residents who need help or resources, please contact Roadrunner Food Bank at info@rrfb.org or call 505.349.8909. In Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico, individuals can find a food distribution, donate, or talk to The Food Depot Navigation Team at thefooddepot.org or by calling 505.471.1633.
Samuel Madrid-Huerta, Distributions Coordinator at The Food Depot, unloads 18 pallets of water at Robertson High School in Las Vegas, NM. Courtesy/The Food Depot
The Food Depot delivers pallets of water to Robertson High School in Las Vegas, N.M. today, June 23, 2024. Courtesy/The Food Depot
The National Guard works with The Food Depot staff to prepare for a bottled water distribution in Las Vegas, NM. Courtesy/The Food Depot
About The Food Depot
The Food Depot is a nonprofit organization that aims to make healthy food accessible to every person in every community in New Mexico. As the food bank for nine northern counties, The Food Depot provides resources to over 40,000 New Mexicans across 26,000 square miles. Our innovative programs, resource navigation services, and advocacy work supports individuals in achieving food security. In 2023, The Food Depot’s unique programs, along with our 80 nonprofit partners, provided an average of 624,000 meals each month to those experiencing food insecurity. You are invited to join the food security movement by donating, volunteering, or advocating on their website, thefooddepot.org. The Food Depot operates as an equal opportunity provider.
