As September marks the beginning of Hunger Action Month, Roadrunner Food Bank President and CEO Mag Strittmatter emphasized the importance of the month to take the time and help those in need.
Throughout the month, residents are encouraged to help out by donating, fundraising or volunteering at their local food banks.
"Hunger Action Month is an effort Feeding America has sponsored for the last 14 years, and it is a way for communities, and in our case, states, to have a conversation around the issues related to hunger," Strittmatter told KRQE.
With five food banks across the state, residents have plenty of opportunities to help be a part of the change. In an interview with KRQE, Strittmatter said these food banks work together with Roadrunner to ensure all 33 counties in the state have some form of emergency hunger programs.
One in four children and one in six people overall in New Mexico currently face food insecurity, Strittmatter told KRQE, making this an especially important cause for the state.
The New Mexico Association of Food Banks encourages residents to donate any of the state's five local food banks. Non-perishable food items will be accepted at any location during normal business hours. According to the website, volunteer workers are also critical in allowing the food banks to prepare items for distribution and financial contributions help to provide the necessary funding.