1 minute read
FULL STOMACHS AND HEARTS!
BY JR. NAD MEMBERS, DOMINIC HARRISON AND JOHANNA SCHERLING
Did you know that hunger is a growing crisis in Northern New Mexico and that in 2023, one in eight adults and one in five children are food insecure in our state? Jr. NAD members are committed to fighting hunger and food insecurity in our community so that access to adequate food and nourishment are available to individuals in need. To help address these needs Jr. NAD members decided to do a food drive and make a difference in our community.
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Jr. NAD held its 2nd annual food drive in late November and early December of last year. Members reached out to NMSD staff, students, and their families to donate canned and dry goods. Everyone rose to the occasion, filling the many boxes set up around campus. The food and dry goods collected were donated to two hard-working local Santa Fe nonprofits whose mission is to fight hunger and food scarcity in Northern New Mexico: The Food Depot and St. Elizabeth Shelters and Supportive Housing.
The Food Depot's vision is simple: Healthy, hunger-free communities in Northern New Mexico. They work toward that vision by engaging a network of partners to develop solutions and create a hunger-free New Mexico.
St. Elizabeth Shelters and Supportive Housing is dedicated to assisting homeless individuals and families by providing emergency shelter, food, case management, and counseling, as well as supportive housing and referrals to partnering human service agencies. St. Elizabeth’s ultimate goal is not only to shelter the most vulnerable, but to end the cycle of homelessness altogether.
Jr. NAD and the NMSD Community understand the importance of supporting these two entities. When we dropped off the boxes of goods, staff from St. Elizabeth’s and The Food Depot expressed their sincere gratitude and thanked us for making a difference in the fight to end hunger.
We have also set our sights on increasing the number of donated items each and every year and are passionate about challenging ourselves and the NMSD Community to help us achieve this goal.
