Los Alamos National Laboratory employees made a positive difference in Northern New Mexico during this year's Spring Food Drive, donating $111,457 and 5,000 pounds of food to The Food Depot.
Together, the donations translate to 450,000 meals for people facing food insecurity in the Northern New Mexico counties of Colfax, Harding, Los Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Santa Fe, Taos and Union — a dramatic increase of more than 110,000 meals from last year.
"Every dollar or item donated helps put food on someone's table," said Tina Moore, the Laboratory’s drive coordinator. "We're incredibly grateful for these donations, which help ensure that our local partners can respond quickly and thoughtfully to real needs in our community."
Volunteering in person
Eighty volunteers rolled up their sleeves and got to work at volunteer sessions hosted by area nonprofits tackling food insecurity.
Some helped at the San Martin de Porres Soup Kitchen in Española; another group volunteered at Kitchen Angels in Santa Fe, making meals for homebound individuals or those facing serious illness. Others sorted food to be distributed by The Food Depot, helped at a food distribution or worked shifts at The Food Depot's Casita de Comida in Española — a no-cost market that provides choice and dignity in a traditional store setting.
Additionally, more than 60 employees served as champions for the drive, volunteering by encouraging donations and managing collection points for nonperishable food items across Lab sites in Los Alamos and Santa Fe.
Battling the hunger crisis
Headquartered in Santa Fe, The Food Depot serves 40,000 people experiencing food insecurity across nine counties in Northern New Mexico. The nonprofit supports a hunger-relief network of more than 80 partner agencies, together with its own mobile food pantries, school-based pantries and drive-through distribution.
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