Day 21: Cans for a Food Drive

Keston, my oldest son's school is having a Food Drive this week to help the Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico. This morning after he ate breakfast he grabbed a bag out and I helped him fill it up with stuff from our pantry for our Good Human Act.  He was so excited to help people who need food and was glad to carry the heavy bag all the way to class. His school sent out a flyer with a little information on the Roadrunner Food Bank and some hunger stats from New Mexico. I have included that information below.

Roadrunner Food Bank is New Mexico’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to ending hunger in our state.  Last year they distributed 25.4 million pounds of food and helped nearly 40,000 hungry people each week.  New Mexico continues to be ranked as one of the hungriest states in the nation.

Hunger Statistics in New Mexico from Roadrunner Food Bank

(And the reality of what is happening in our own community)

How does NM Ranks in the nation of people who wonder when they will get their next meal?  5th

What percent of food pantries in NM turn away people due to lack of food.  51%

-Because of the economy food assistance programs in our state are experiencing a demand that

has not occurred since the Great Depression.  

-Roadrunner distributes more than 92,000 pounds of food every working day.

 How many semi trucks loads of food does that equal every day?   3

- In 1999, just under 5,000,000 lbs per year were distributed, 2009 over 20,000,000 lbs were

distributed.

What percent of those served by Roadrunner are homeless?   8%

-32% of the households served by Roadrunner have at least one employed adult.

What is  the average monthly income for households served by Roadrunner?   $900.

In New Mexico what percent of children under 18 live in poverty?   25%

-30% of children under 5 live in poverty.  

-Each year more than 90,000 children receive food assistance. Compared to 4 years ago that is

an additional 11,000 children are being helped through food assistance programs each year.

What percent of Roadrunner’s clients are children?  40%

-It is estimated that this year 29,025 seniors citizens will seek emergency food from

Roadrunner, compared to 11,000 just 8 years ago

What percent of NM senior’s citizens seek help with food at food pantries throughout NM?   30%

What overall percent of households with senior’s citizens report they do not have enough to 

eat?   50%

What percent of senior’s citizens report having to choose between paying for food or 

utilities?    46%

What percent of senior’s report choosing between food and medical care?   37%

Keston and hid Food Drive Donations.