THE FOOD DEPOT News:
SANTA FE — During the COVID-19 public health crisis, The Food Depot is adding a drive-thru food distribution in Española beginning April 1.
“The goal is to continue providing essential hunger relief to our most vulnerable community members in our service area. We continue to review our logistics, resources and strategies, and adjust where we can have the most impact,” Jill Dixon, director of development of The Food Depot, said.
Food will be distributed the first and third Wednesday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon (or until the food runs out) at Ohkay Owingeh Casino’s parking lot, 68 New Mexico 291, in Española. All participants should stay in their vehicles and make space in their trunks for the food for everyone’s safety.
This special food distribution is in addition to two others in Santa Fe County during the public health crisis.
A special thank you to the Pueblo of Pojoaque’s Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino, and Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo’s Ohkay Casino for providing safe, secure storage for outgoing product and volunteer space during this unique time of need (casinos remain closed).
The Food Depot, as northern New Mexico’s only food bank, is considered an “essential business” under the expanded “stay at home” order issued on March 23, 2020, by Gov. Michelle Lujan-Grisham. The Food Depot will continue to welcome volunteers and operate in order to provide critical food supplies to the most vulnerable members of our community, until directed otherwise. Visit www.thefooddepot.org to learn more about supporting the food bank through volunteering, donating, or more on our response to the COVID-19 public health crisis.
Other partner agencies of The Food Depot in Rio Arriba County to get a meal or food (it is strongly encouraged to call before going to confirm the details have not changed):
San Martin de Porres Soup Kitchen
171 Jonathan, Española
Provides a free lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to noon
Food Pantries – Española Area
Rock Christian Fellowship
919 Riverside Drive, Española, 505.753.2094
Distributes food Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Call for emergency food assistance.
Other Food Pantries in Rio Arriba County
Chama Valley Food Pantry
First Baptist Church of Chama
499 Maple Ave, Chama
Distributes on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon. (Commodities)
Chimayo
Barrios Unidos Communities Without Walls
John Hyson Education Center
State Road 76, Camino Mission, 505.351.1644
Distributes on the first Monday of the month beginning at 1 p.m.
Mobile Food Pantries (MFP) – Rio Arriba County
Abiquiu MFP
Joe Ferran Gym next to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Parish – up the hill from Bode’s Store
Highway 84
Distributes food the third Thursday of the month after the truck delivers food – distribute approximately between 9:45 a.m. to 10 a.m. until food is gone. (Commodities)
El Rito MFP
El Rito – Highway 554
Alumni Hall at the Northern NM Community College El Rito Branch
St John Nepomucene Church
contact 575.581.9115 (Commodities)
Distributes food the third Thursday of the month. Sign up only begin at 10 a.m. Food distribution from 11:30 am until food is gone around 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.
Vallecitos MFP
Volunteer Fire Station on Forest Road 106
Nuestra Senora de los Dolores
Contact 575.582.0052
Distributes food the third Wednesday of the month from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. (Commodities)
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 three direct service programs and support of a network of over 145 partner nonprofit programs. Each month, The Food Depot provides more than 440,000 meals to people in need — the most vulnerable of our community — children, seniors, working families, and those in ill health.
