An expansion of the Casa de Peregrinos food program has earned support from the Las Cruces City Council, authorizing $3.75 million for warehouse restoration efforts.
According to a report by KRWG, City Housing and Neighborhood Services Manager Natalie Green said the expansion will provide additional freezer and refrigerator space, as well as storage for dry goods.
“The new programming at the facility would include a homebound delivery program for seniors and clients with disabilities,” Green told KRWG. “And then my favorite is the food pharmacy. So, physicians can prescribe or refer clients who are newly diagnosed with metabolic disorders, like diabetes or hypertension, and they can come learn about better food choices and then have access to that programming.”
Funding for the project will come out of Las Cruces' Telshor Fund, KRWG states, with an additional $3.9 million in legislative grant funding to cover the $7 million food bank project.
In 2020, Casa de Peregrinos distributed more than 4.7 million pounds of food, which is more than nine times over its designed capacity. According to the article, New Mexico has one of the worst rates in the U.S. for child food insecurity, sitting at 26%. The city hopes to begin construction during the second half of the fiscal year.
