The Food Depot, a Santa Fe-based organization, is aiming to alleviate hunger in Northern New Mexico. It provides a central food bank with 400,000 pounds of food and other products every month to their partner agencies that distributes them to those in need such as poor families, homeless people, children and even people with mental and health challenges.
A study found in 2011 suggested that 1 out of 5 New Mexicans experience food scarcity.
The food bank is a project participated by comminutes yearly. On Saturday, roughly 300 people supported this year's fundraising activity, the Holiday Pie Mania. The attendees enjoy as top volunteer chefs showcase their mastery in preparing confections and holiday desserts. This event was held at the Builders Source Appliance Gallery.
Jill Gentry, development coordinator of The Food Depot said that many experienced not having enough food on their plates and most put food last among the necessities. The organization was founded in 1994 and is still growing until this day. Gentry even said that they do not have enough space to stock all the goods to be distributed to their partner agencies across the region.
According to The Food Depot, the request for assistance increased year to year from 2008 to 2014. Though the numbers did not increase this year, they remained the same said Gentry.
The root cause of hunger is poverty. In New Mexico, high paying jobs are scarce. The when the recession hit the state in 2008, New Mexico was among most affected.
"We haven't had the economic recovery other states have seen," said Gentry. "Fewer jobs have been created. People are unemployed or underemployed. All that really matters in terms of getting people back on their feet."
Children are the ones who suffer the most with the hunger crisis. Brain development requires nutrients in food and if they do not have enough, the impact can be lifelong added Gentry. According to studies, children who do not have enough nutrition and are hungry at school don't focus on their studies. Some schools offer free breakfast or lunch but these children will not have dinner or meals during the weekends.
"I'm glad to help The Food Depot help people in need," Alvarado said. "For me as a chef, one thing everyone does, and will never stop doing, is eating. If we can do our part, feeding people who can't feed themselves, I feel like we're doing a good thing for the world," said Chef LeRoy Alvarado, one of the volunteer chefs after finishing his apple pie dessert.
Gentry also said that feeding the hungry helps the entire community. "We are all paying the consequences of hunger. The immediate ones for a person missing meals is increased illness, poor work performance, missing work and interpersonal problems."
