During March through June, The Food Depot incurred $1.3 million in additional expenses, and spent its entire annual food purchase budget in just two months to meet the increased rate of food insecurity. Courtesy/TFD
THE FOOD DEPOT News:
SANTA FE — To help protect the safety of its staff, volunteers and those who receive services from the food bank, The Food Depot recently earned the New Mexico Safe Certified designation.
Completing the program was the most recent addition to The Food Depot’s commitment to taking all precautions necessary in a COVID-19 environment.
“Our disaster relief plan has typically focused on natural disasters, such as water shortages and wildfires. The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged us to put health and safety at the forefront of everything we do, from screening volunteers to how we distribute food,” said Sarah Carter, volunteer program manager.
In addition to revising their disaster plan annually, The Food Depot also has developed a sustainability plan, and revamped their volunteer screening procedures and created a COVID-19 specific volunteer handbook. These best practices have been available for all partner agencies to be a resource for nonprofits to utilize.
The Food Depot is currently not accepting donations of food, diapers or other household items. Financial support is greatly appreciated and crucial to support hunger relief efforts. During March 2020 through June 2020, The Food Depot incurred $1.3 million in additional expenses, and spent its entire annual food purchase budget in just two months responding to meet the increased rate of food insecurity.
The month of September is National Hunger Action Month. The Food Depot asks all those who are able to donate, advocate, or volunteer. Every action makes a difference.
About The Food Depot
The Food Depot fosters healthy communities by engaging a network of partners and developing solutions to create a hunger-free northern New Mexico. As the food bank for nine counties, The Food Depot provides hunger relief to over 34,500 people experiencing hunger. The Food Depot addresses the crisis of hunger through a combination of drive-thru mobile food pantries, three direct service programs, and support of a network of over 145 partner nonprofit programs. Since January 2020, The Food Depot provided an average of 725,000 meals each month to people in need — the most vulnerable of our community — children, seniors, working families, and those in ill health.