El Paso food bank now giving away fresh produce

More El Pasoans who receive assistance from local food banks are enjoying fresh produce.

It’s all thanks to generous donations to El Pasoans Fighting Hunger, from sister food banks in the region.

According to Terri Wyatt, with EPFH, the goal is to bring in at least a million pounds of produce.

As soon as fresh deliveries of things like carrots, celery, green beans, and fruit come in, food banks are texted and e-mailed to come pick it up.

The donations are usually in the warehouse no more than 24 hours, to ensure quick delivery because it’s perishable.

Bernie Gutierrez, who volunteers at local pantry Ebineezer Food Ministries, has been delivering food for 20 years. He tells ABC-7 his pantry helped 100 more families than usual this month.

Gutierrez attributes the increase in part to students who were home for spring break. He’s grateful for the fresh food, and calls himself “the middle man.”

“I would not have anything to do if the food bank would not distribute. What’s given to me by grace, I give by grace,” says Gutierrez.

The goal of El Pasoans Fighting Hunger is to feed 91,000 people in the community nutritionally-sound meals this year.

Your donations can help. One dollar can buy 7 meals for those in need. You can make your donation at any area Albertsons in Las Cruces or El Paso.