Data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service show that 498,944 persons in New Mexico, or about 23% of the state’s population, were participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in August 2022.
The good news is the number of persons in New Mexico participating in SNAP has decreased 7.7% since August of last year. The bad news is many New Mexicans are still facing hunger every day.
Different nonprofits, religious groups, charity organizations, government entities, private companies and individuals are all working to eliminate hunger, but they can’t do it alone. Many rely on volunteers and donations to help provide food assistance to those in need.
Where to donate food and other items in Albuquerque
Anyone who wants to donate or volunteer can reach out to the following organizations to learn more about how to help and keep food on the table for as many New Mexicans as possible:
Roadrunner Food Bank is the largest nonprofit working to solve food insecurity in the state. The non-profit currently provides food directly to member partners in 16 counties and supplies food to regional food banks in other counties, that together make up 500 member organizations to include food pantries, soup kitchens, group homes, schools, senior centers and other locations.
Roadrunner Food Bank accepts monetary donations online, by mail, by phone, or via text. Learn more about providing a monetary donation at rrfb.org/give/give-funds. The food bank also accepts non-perishable food donations at four drop off locations in Albuquerque:
- APD Northeast Area Command at 8201 Osuna Rd. NE
- Erna Fergusson Library at 3700 San Mateo Blvd. NE
- APD Southwest Area Command at 6404 Los Volcanes Rd. NW
- APD Northwest Area Command at 10401 Cibola Loop NW
To learn about other ways to donate food to Roadrunner Food Bank, visit rrfb.org/give/give-food.
Storehouse New Mexico is a nonprofit community-based food pantry that provides free groceries to people in need. It is located at 106 Broadway Blvd. SE. The radio station 100.3 The Peak and JTR in the Morning are hosting a food drive for the Storehouse on Friday, Nov. 18 from 6 a.m. to p.m. The public is asked to donate canned and shelf-stable foods such as soups, canned meats and peanut butter to the Albertsons Market at 10131 Coors Bypass NW. Other Albertsons locations around Albuquerque also have bins to donate non-perishable foods. They are also accepting monetary donations on their food drive fundraiser page. As of Thursday evening, $1,260 of the $50,000 goal had been raised.
Albuquerque Public Schools McKinney-Vento Program provides a variety of services to homeless children and families, including school supplies, housing referrals, school uniforms and other assistance. Food, toiletry, clothing and school supplies can be donated in person at 1730 University Blvd. SE. Call 505-256-8239 ext. 46911 or 505-437-8772 to schedule a drop-off. Non-perishable food items needed for the Title I Homeless Project include:
- Cheese or peanut butter crackers, beef jerky, applesauce, pudding, fruit cups, granola bars, power bars, cereal bars, single serving Chef-Boy-R-Dee items, ravioli/spaghetti-os, single serving soups (with pull tab openings), ramen noodles, tomato juice, packaged nuts, trail mix, fruit snacks, dried fruits, peanut butter, any kind of pasta, spaghetti sauce, canned vegetables and fruit (with pull top openings), macaroni and cheese, individually packaged chips/pretzels/Goldfish, boxed drinks and juices, Vienna sausages (with pull top lids), Pop-Tarts, individual packets of oatmeal, plastic spoons, gallon-size Ziploc bags, canned tuna, bags of rice or beans.
The Salvation Army of Albuquerque provides different family services, including food pantry assistance. Individuals and organizations can give by providing monetary donations, volunteering, donating goods and clothing or starting a fundraiser. To find a Salvation Army drop-off donation location, visit satruck.org.
Other organizations accepting food donations for families in need include:
- Jewish Family Service Food Pantry – Food Distribution Center at 5520 Wyoming Blvd. NE
- Rio Grande Food Project at 600 Coors Blvd. NW
- Saint John’s Episcopal Cathedral Food Pantry at 318 Silver Ave. SW
- Casa San Miguel Food Pantry at 601 Montaño Rd. NW
- Soul Provisions Ministries at 5309 Acoma Rd. SE
- UNM Family Health Clinic – Food Pantry at 3401 4th NW
- Los Griegos Health & Social Services Center Food Bank at 1231 Candelaria Rd. NW
- Southeast Highland Food Pantry – Food Distribution Center at 417 Palomas Dr. SE
- Olive Tree – Food Distribution Center at 2621 Cagua Dr. NE
- First Unitarian’s Food Pantry at 3701 Carlisle Blvd. NE
- Street Safe New Mexico, donation bin at 120 Jefferson St. NE