This year, the Storehouse New Mexico food pantry has been supporting record numbers of people experiencing hunger. As a result, Sandia Area Federal Credit Union and the Storehouse are teaming up to raise funds again this holiday season with the FACE the Hunger holiday challenge. Last year, we raised enough to provide 820,000 meals. This year, the goal is 1 MILLION meals.
The campaign will raise funds for the Storehouse food pantry, and spread awareness about hunger issues in our state. In 2023, the FACE the Hunger campaign raised enough funding to provide over 820,000 meals. Moreover, there is a larger need this year to help people experiencing hunger in our community. Therefore, Sandia Area and the Storehouse hope for an even bigger result this year. “Our goal this year is to provide one million meals,” said Kevin Todd, President and CEO of Sandia Area Federal Credit Union.
FACE: Feeding Area Children Every Day
Sandia Area has hosted several FACE the Hunger initiatives with the Storehouse in recent years. This engages the community in the ongoing struggle of hunger and food insecurity in New Mexico. FACE stands for “Feeding Area Children Every Day,” recognizing that 1 in 5 children in New Mexico experience hunger on an ongoing basis. During the campaign, Sandia Area will be matching funds from other donors, up to $25,000 from mid-November to early January. In addition, Sandia Area branches will be hosting food drives to collect canned and shelf stable food for the Storehouse.
To point out, Todd also serves as Treasurer on the Storehouse Board of Directors. He in particular understands what this funding means to the Storehouse and the neighbors we serve. “Sandia Area is dedicated to helping our neighbors and our community, and providing food is a key part of that vision. We hope our team, our members, and the public all join us in helping the Storehouse fight hunger this holiday season.”
Fighting hunger is no small task. We need your help to get to 1 Million Meals!
Hunger remains an ongoing struggle in New Mexico, and it’s increasing with the overall rising cost of living. In fact, the Storehouse New Mexico is among the largest food pantries in the state, and has recently seen almost double the people the pantry supported just a few years ago. Kevin Cochran, pantry manager, says, “We have been incredibly busy at the pantry this year handing out groceries. Record numbers of people have been turning to the Storehouse for food, including approximately 20,000 children. We greatly appreciate the ongoing support from Sandia Area and hope the community pitches in to support these efforts too. Local families are counting on us.” With very low overhead and lots of volunteers, the Storehouse can provide five meals with every dollar donated.
Help the Storehouse reach the 1 Million Meals goal this holiday season! Give today at our FACE Holiday Campaign page.