Casa de Peregrinos to begin 24-hour hunger strike in Las Cruces

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) -- A Las Cruces food pantry plans to take a stand against hunger starting Thursday with a hunger strike. The Casa De Peregrinos said it wll go 24 hours without eating.

During its hunger strike, Casa De Peregrinos will accept donations, according to its website. All proceeds go toward efforts to feed children, families and seniors across Southern New Mexico.

The food pantry said the strike is an act of solidarity amid changes to federal nutrition assistance programs. It said 18,000 people in New Mexico lost SNAP benefits.

"Our Hunger Strike is about more than going without food for a day," said Marco Olvera, director of development at Casa de Peregrinos. "It's about standing with our neighbors who face difficult choices every day and raising awareness about the reality of hunger in our community."

Officials said community members, Casa de Peregrinos employees and Director Lorenzo Alba Jr. will participate in Doña Ana County.

This is the eighth year the pantry does the strike.