THE FOOD DEPOT News:

SANTA FE — The Food Depot is calling for community support in its response to COVID-19.

To launch and maintain an adequate response to the increased demand for emergency food distributions, The Food Depot is in need of healthy volunteers and monetary support. 

“The goal is to continue providing essential hunger relief to our most vulnerable community members while minimizing opportunities for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to spread. The health and safety of our community are a top priority — and that includes access to food,” said Jill Dixon, director of development of The Food Depot at 1222 A Siler Road in Santa Fe.

Monetary support will allow The Food Depot to hold food distributions that are open to the public, purchase additional food at a discounted price available to the food bank, hire additional staff, and acquire additional trucks. Donations may be made at www.thefooddepot.org/donate-to-general-operations. 

For potential volunteers, please assess whether it is safe for you to volunteer.

We are following the New Mexico Department of Health’s recommendations:

• All individuals who are sick and/or showing flu-like symptoms (cough, sneezing, shortness of breath, fever, etc.) may not volunteer for food and personal safety reasons. Please stay home and get well.
• If you have been in direct contact with someone who has a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19, we will not allow you to volunteer.
• If you have recently traveled out of state or been in contact with anybody who has traveled to high contamination areas, we will not allow you to volunteer.
• If you are at high risk of contracting the virus (older individuals and/or those with underlying health conditions), we strongly encourage you to stay home and stay healthy.

If you are interested in volunteering, please email our volunteer coordinator at volunteer@thefooddepot.org. Please do not arrive at The Food Depot without starting the intake process, as our shifts and hours may change, in addition to our efforts for the safest environment possible.

The Food Depot has a long history of serving as a disaster relief organization and has a disaster plan in place. The focus of preparedness has been on wildfires, but The Food Depot is rapidly adapting. Distribution plans for pandemics are new to The Food Depot, but be assured that the organization has put logistics in place that continue to be modified as the situation evolves. The food bank is positioned to serve its community and actively prepare alternative distribution strategies.

The Food Depot is engaging in conversations with a number of local and federal governmental entities. The Food Depot recognizes that people who are economically vulnerable will be dramatically affected by school and business closures. This vulnerability will persist beyond temporary closures. The Food Depot is also preparing for an increased demand for hunger relief supplies in the coming months. 

The Food Depot’s role in hunger relief is more important now than ever. The food bank is relying on community support to help build capacity to meet a growing need at this critical time.

Go to thefooddepot.org for the latest information.