Las Cruces Food Bank Supply Diminishing

By Doug Wernet

LAS CRUCES — A food bank that supplies pantries in more than six counties across New Mexico is having problems keeping up with demand.

The Community Action Agency warehouse, a non-profit organization, is normally filled with thousands of pounds of food. But this year the situation is quite different, officials said.

At one point, the agency had whole rooms filled with stacks of food.Now it stands nearly empty. This year the agencyhas had to turn pantries away becauseit simply does not have enough food to give them, said director Stacey Cox.

The need for food has jumped 37 percentfrom last year andthe supply is down 20 percent, Cox said.

Cox attributed the disparity to lowerdonations from the community and grocery stores, as well as a stagnant state and federal budget in the area.

In addition, the cost for maintaining distributioncenters at operating levels is growing, Cox said.

“I think calling your congressman, your legislator and bringing in donations of food or money could help,” Cox said.”We need to nderstand this isn’t just a problem for community action, or people that have a need. It’s a community problem, we all have to deal with it as a community.”

Cox also said there is a misconception that only unemployed people use the pantries for food supplies. In reality, many low-income families with parents who work several jobs rely on the service, she said.

Those wishing to help can contribute to the agency directly or write to local representatives in Congress, Cox said.