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Food and Fund Drives
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Sherry's Career Reflections PAGE 11-15 The Food Depot's New Executive Director - Jill Dixon PAGE 16-18
Len Rand, President • Thomas Jensen, Vice President
Janet Clow, Treasurer • Caitlin Smith, Secretary
Bill Sveum, Ph.D., Member at Large
David Barton • Noah Berke • Scott Bunton
Rubina Cohen • V. Brian D'Andrea • Bridget Dixson
Sandra Mitiko Higaskino-Greene • Barbara Houser
Jeremy Miller • David Risser • Rachel Rogers
Dr. Bret Smoker • Deborah Trouw • Andrea Vigil
Scott Alexander
Jeanette Alt Romero
Robyn Archuleta
Steven Bolin
Kayla Bostic
Lauren Bourguignon
Amanda Bregel
Elier Chacon
Zamir Crispin
Jill Dixon
Albert Flores
Fernando Garcia
Jonathan Griego
Dave Halerz
Sherry Hooper
Russell Johnson
Benjamin Keyse
Manuel Lovato
Sammy Madrid
Wayne Martin
Vilma Martinez
Brooke Minnich
Ashlynn Montoya
Pauline Montoya
Louie Montano
Mary Ocampo
Joyce Pohl
Paul Rodriguez
David Sanchez
James Sanchez
Jerome Sanchez
Maria Sanchez
Sal Sandoval
Fred Santistevan
Ralanda Shroulote
Michael Silva
Cathy Sisneros
Julia Topete
Alma Vega
Olivia Villalpando
Jerry Wagner
Donate
You can make a monetary donation:
Online: thefooddepot.org
Over the phone: 505-510-5890
Advocate
You can make a difference by sharing information about food insecurity in our communities.
Follow us on social media @thefooddepot or join the Advocacy Committee. Visit thefooddepot.org/advocate.
Volunteer
The Food Depot is in need of volunteers! Repack food at the Santa Fe warehouse or volunteer at a food distribution.
Learn about our many opportunities and join our team at thefooddepot.org/volunteer.
Thank you to our Temporary / Contract Staff:
Anthony Anaya III
Meredith Lorencz
Bonnie Murphy
Angela Valencia
Erica Villegas
After twenty-two years, this is my final edition of the Depot Dispatch as the executive director of The Food Depot.
These past two decades have been filled with every imaginable adventure. Leading a food bank was always a lifelong dream, and I’m thrilled to have fulfilled that dream with the amazing people of Northern New Mexico. Although this transition into retirement is necessary, it's not a decision I took lightly.
I first joined The Food Depot, I held nearly every position at the food bank – from development to communications and even occasionally driving the truck.
For many of my early years, I was the voice behind the Depot Dispatch. I thought it fitting that this final edition of my tenure be a sort of farewell, from my heart to yours. Anyone who has spent time with me knows how much I love to talk about the life-changing work we do at The Food Depot, so this is my last opportunity to give updates, share dreams, and to say “thank you” to you, our faithful community of supporters. None of this would be possible without you.
Let's begin, as always, by celebrating each other.
When I was first hired in 2001, we had only five employees running the food bank, most of whom worked in the warehouse. At that time, as the executive director, one of my responsibilities was volunteer coordination.
I have fond memories of volunteers sorting huge bags of pinto beans taller than my head and working together over our shared desire for change.
Every April holds special significance as we take a moment to ensure our volunteers know just how much we appreciate their efforts. This year, our volunteer team chose a “rockin” 50s diner theme. Records, music notes, and a jukebox in the lobby brought nostalgic thoughts of diners and milkshakes.
Of course, no Volunteer Appreciation Month is complete without a party.
One Friday in April, volunteers were treated to a cookout and plenty of sweet treats. Staff joined the celebration to express how volunteers “toetally rocked their socks off.”
work in the warehouse and must wear closed-toed shoes during their shifts, socks are something they can wear when they are volunteering or every day to show their love for The Food Depot.” I am deeply grateful for our creative and hardworking volunteer team!
Each year, volunteers receive a thank-you gift during the celebration, and this year, they all received The Food Depot socks. I asked Pauline Montoya, our Lead Volunteer Coordinator, why socks were chosen as a good volunteer gift, and she explained, “Since volunteers
Reflecting on the hundreds of volunteers I've met over the years who have sorted food, sustained programs, sat on committees, worked with clients, supported events, or staffed the front desk, my heart is filled with joy and gratitude. These individuals have generously given their time and energy to our mission through every season at The Food Depot. A sincere thank you for your passion and friendship.
Before moving to New Mexico, I organized food drives at the Kansas City food bank. Once at The Food Depot, I ensured we enhanced our partnerships and food capacity through community food drives. To me, food drives will always be an essential part of food banking.
One of our strongest partnerships is with Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Every spring, lab employees collaborate with The Food Depot to organize two weeks of giving their time, funds, and food. This year’s drive was a resounding success! From March 25th to April 12th, LANL staff collected an incredible 7,509 pounds of pantry staples. Generous staff also donated $70,738. Their efforts will provide almost 300,000 meals to Northern New Mexicans.
During the spring food drive, LANL staff also volunteered their time at Casita de Comida and in The Food Depot’s warehouse. They also supported several partner agencies in Española. Volunteer projects at the warehouse included pantry bag assembly and folding Stamp Out Hunger bags. Throughout the year, LANL employees also staff the monthly Los Alamos drive-through pantry and support Casita de Comida.
A heartfelt thank you to all the leadership at LANL and the employees for their long standing dedication to feeding people in their local communities!
Another food drive dear to my heart is Stamp Out Hunger. This annual event takes place each year on the 2nd Saturday in May and operates as a collaboration between local unions of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), the United States Postal Service, and food banks. NALC branches participate voluntarily, and we deeply appreciate their enthusiasm and willingness to work extra hard for the food banks.
This year was no exception, with the 2024 Stamp Out Hunger food drive collecting more than 25,000 pounds of pantry staples!
Stamp Out Hunger remains our biggest food drive of the year and a significant source of donations for many of our food pantry partners.
On May 11th, letter carriers in Santa Fe and surrounding counties picked up pantry staples left at mailboxes by community members. At local post offices, volunteers and staff sorted the donations. I also want to express my gratitude to the volunteers and
Thank you to the letter carriers who picked up
store managers from local Albertsons Market grocery stores. Their staff volunteered at the post office on May 11th, sorting over 15,000 pounds of food! Albertsons also generously donated the paper bags used as reminders for Stamp Out Hunger.
As I've shared, food drives always bring me joy, especially when they unite different people in a shared goal to end hunger.
Neighbor to Neighbor (N2N) is a longstanding tradition at The Food Depot, showcasing the power of community collaboration.
Initially started as a food drive in 2012, N2N now serves as a vital source of fundraising for The Food Depot. In 2023, more than 150 neighborhoods, community groups, and businesses united for The Food Depot.
The fundraiser surpassed its $300,000 goal last year, raising nearly $400,000, and enabling us to provide 1.6 million
Neighb or to Neighb or
How can you get involved in the Neighbor to Neighbor competition?
The 2024 competition commenced on June 3rd, and we invite you to participate as an individual or by rallying your neighborhood to join.
• Visit thefooddepot.org/n2n
• Check if your neighborhood or community group is already participating or register as a new team.
• Donate and encourage others to contribute to your team!
It's that simple! The fundraiser continues until September 23rd. During an early October celebration, The Food Depot will announce winning teams across various categories.
The goal for 2024 competition is to raise at least $400,000!
Strategically improving warehouse efficiency has been a personal passion of mine since my earliest days at The Food Depot.
I arrived in Santa Fe the same year we moved into the Angel Depot. The warehouse had limited space, no pallet racking, and minimal technology. Over the years, we've built a larger warehouse, increased storage capacity for healthy food, and strengthened our ability to support more counties and partnerships. However, with this impressive growth came the need to continually enhance our efficiencies.
I'm immensely proud of the evolution of Neighbor to Neighbor and the unity it fosters among participants toward a common goal. Here's to another year of recordbreaking success!
In 2022, after 20 years at The Food Depot, I finally hired our first full-time IT Manager, Salvador (Sal) Sandoval. Sal took on the Herculean task of implementing an electronic barcoding and inventory system in the warehouse, a project spanning two years.
When Sal joined, the warehouse lacked wifi, and most employees didn't have personal technology. Every item in our warehouse was inventoried by hand twice a year, leading to potential mistakes and
inefficiencies. Our inventory system, CERES, was challenging to manage as it wasn't under our control, making updates difficult. We were handling millions of pounds of food annually using a paper-based system that required multiple steps and transfers between employees.
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After strengthening wifi and technology capabilities throughout the entire warehouse, Sal and the team began to work with a longtime food bank technology consultant Sharon Jacobson, of SJ Consulting, Inc. “Food banking is hard,” Sharon shares with me. “When your team has a really good understanding of exactly what food you have and where it is, and that knowledge is supported by technology, you can grow in a more efficient way. Technology will help you reduce time from donation or purchase, to client.”
Thanks to SJ Consulting's guidance, as of March 2024, our inventory is fully barcoded.
Employees can now scan barcodes to see real-time inventory levels, eliminating the need for manual counting. Inventory updates are automated as orders are fulfilled for agencies. “I’m very proud of what we’ve done,” Sal tells me. “I’ve learned a lot, and so has the rest of the team. We have worked strategically to implement the barcoding, and everything is working the way it’s supposed to.”
Walking through our warehouse, I'm continually inspired by our hardworking employees and
grateful for our donors who make our work possible. Together, we strive to improve as a food bank and provide more healthy food to communities every day.
From hand-counted inventory labels to the new and improved barcoding system, operations staff have used trial and error to find the best system for labeling the hundreds of pallets in the warehouse.
no barcode.
2 - Early barcodes were taped to pallets and easily lost.
As soon as I announced my retirement, people began to ask me to reflect on my time at The Food Depot. While easy in theory, the last twenty two years have been a whirlwind of movement, filled with incredible people, remarkable growth, millions of pounds of food, and open roads leading me to communities I just knew I wanted to help.
3 - New smaller, sticker labels have improved barcodes and reveal real-time inventory levels.
In my first year at The Food Depot, I faced the challenge of believing in myself and the future of this organization. We lacked accurate agency records, financial reserves, and substantial donors. In the early 2000s, our primary source of food was prepared meals from restaurants. With a small team, I often found myself working in the warehouse during the day and writing grants or donor requests in the evenings.
"Leading my own food bank was my dream."
Sharing The Food Depot with my community has been a constant joy!
I don’t start anything with the intent to fail, so I got to work. I began fundraising efforts and visited all our agencies to update records. I also sought food sources outside New Mexico and increased our warehouse capacity with pallet racking. By 2007, we finally amassed enough reserves and presence in the community to contemplate expanding into our own warehouse and launching our programs.
But a food bank's work is never truly finished. Since moving into our new warehouse in 2013, we've continued to expand services, focusing on offering healthier food options to people and other resources. We've reached a point that seemed unattainable when I was working late nights two decades ago.
However, what I'm most proud of is the culture we've cultivated at The Food Depot. Many of our employees, myself included, have experienced poverty firsthand. Our shared experiences fuel our work with empathy and heart. We are united in our desire to create a better future, and I'm honored to have been a leader in this journey.
Moving from Kansas City to Santa Fe, I didn’t know anyone in the area. However, I came out here to visit, and the beauty of New Mexico just took hold of me.
Every day, I worked diligently to strengthen our donor base and spread the word about The Food Depot. Slowly, our reputation grew. Donors became advocates, and then friends.
I helped to establish the Santa Fe Food Policy Council in 2008 as one of the four founding members. The council is devoted to creating and maintaining a regional food system that provides safe and nutritious food at reasonable prices to all residents, particularly those in need.
Eventually, we built up enough reserve funds to guarantee operations into the future. I hired our first CPA to help The Food Depot maintain the sound financial stewardship we still have to this day.
We launched the “Building Hope” capital campaign in 2008 to expand our warehouse and capacity for cold storage. After moving into the new 27,000 square foot warehouse in 2013, impact increased and our donors funded a second expansion in 2016.
In a meeting with then Governor Bill Richardson, I sold him on an innovative idea: food banks should distribute commodity food. I worked with my fellow NM food banks to move TEFAP from the state to the food banks, increasing distribution possibilities and the amount of fresh food options.
To bring food directly into communities, our team launched our first direct service programs– Mobile Food Pantries and the Food 4 Kids backpack program.
In 2013 we began to distribute diapers, then pet food. Our Resource Navigation Program launched in 2019 to provide a holistic approach as clients move toward food security.
My entire career has been focused on the vision of truly ending hunger through long-term, sustainable solutions. My work with state legislators, senators, and congressional leaders has moved us toward that reality. With programs like Regional Farm to Food Bank now in place and food bank advocacy a bigger focus than ever, I am hopeful for the future.
With our “Tried and True” Piñon Award in 2014 and then again in 2022, I felt a sense of awe and pride in our work.
I have always believed food banks are stronger when we work together, so I served as Chair of the New Mexico Association of Food Banks for several different terms.
From our first box truck “Flo” to the first semi trailer in 2017, we now have 25 vehicles moving food and people around our service area.
Consider giving to the "22 Years Strong" fund by donating online at thefooddepot.org or through the Depot Dispatch.
As a volunteer for several years, your smiling face is always a joy to see. You have been a great force in the progress of The Food Depot. I've always been in awe at the ability to change and grow with the times and challenges.
Russell Johnson, Director of ProgramsSherry you have got to be proud of the work you have done over the years. The Food Depot has come a long way.
Melody and Guido
Edna Reyes-Wilson
Sherry, you walk your talk, connecting food providers with those who literally don't have a seat at the table. Your example is an inspiration. You have provided me ways to help in the process of connecting meaningfully with the community I live in. You are part of the reason this community continues to be bright, vibrant and vital. Thank you for your service!
A Friend of The Food Depot
Sherry taught me the impor tance of empathy and understanding in food bank ing and community care. She has taught me to listen to the needs of those we aim to ser ve, rather than assuming we know what's best for them. To make sure individuals feel respected rather than ashamed or diminished by seeking assistance. Sherr y's approach taught me that e ec tive community care involves more than just providing food–it's about a sense of belonging and suppor t within the community.
Thank you, Sherry!
I hope your heart will be warmed by the thought of the thousands of New Mexicans who are leading healthier and better lives because of your hard work over the years.
Jerry Wagner,
Directorof
DistributionSherry has taught me that caring for our community means going upstream and standing our ground! True, deep care goes under the surface to heal issues at their root and does not waver under the weight of challenges.
ManagerI have volunteered at The Food Depot because of the leadership you have given this organization. You took this from a small non profit to one of the most important non profits in Santa Fe and the work you did during the pandemic was extraordinary.Thanks a million Sherry! Always accessible, smart and funny, everything we need in a leader.
Thank you, Sherry. It’s a pleasure to share a little about myself in this edition.
I spent my undergraduate years at Northern Arizona University delving into the world of rhetoric and sociology, and was on the doorstep of a career in academia when a poster for Teach for America caught my eye. My application to that program brought me deep into south Texas, teaching English to sixth grade students.
The experience was transformative, bringing me a real awareness
Twelve years ago, Jill joined The Food Depot to help us cross the finish line during the “Building Hope” campaign. She did not slow down after making our warehouse a reality. In the past decade she has led our fundraising efforts, expanded programs, and guided our strategic plan implementation. I am so proud of her growth and passion for food security.
As our next executive director, I am confident she will lead The Food Depot with creativity and integrity. I also wanted to give her space to introduce herself to you all in her own words. The floor is yours, Jill!
of the fact that children do go to bed hungry, in houses without electricity, right here in America.
On any given day, a complex series of economic hardships and their consequences left my students struggling and not ready to learn. After three years in the Rio Grande Valley, I found my way to the east coast, living and teaching in a township on the outskirts of Philadelphia. There I was folded into a community of high school students who were often living with grandparents, or acting as primary caregivers for younger siblings while their parents worked, or working themselves to help the family pay
rent. Again, education was forced into the back seat, or the trunk, as the struggle to meet basic needs took priority.
A brief visit over Easter weekend to my parents home in Albuquerque had me hooked. I’d missed mountains and endless blue skies, and mostly the kindness of people in the Southwest. New Mexico became my chosen home in 2006. Now a homeowner, I spent several years in corporate America to more effectively pay the bills, gaining abundant skills in sales, marketing, and how to thicken up my skin. It was in that career path that I met Penny, a board member of The Food Depot and eventually, a dear friend of mine. The elimination of my position during a downsizing coincided with The Food Depot’s search for its first development director. Penny made the connection, strongly encouraging me to apply, and the rest is history.
Today, I live in an urban forest on a beautiful piece of land in Albuquerque’s north valley. I am a mother to one daughter, Avalon, who is ten years old and absolutely the greatest joy of my life. She is vibrant and fierce and full of adventurous spirit, questions, and kindness.
Living in a multi-generational setting with my parents provides a rich environment of support, love, and connectedness for all of us. I am fortunate to experience unconditional love and encouragement from my partner, a dynamic network of friends, my parents, and my daughter.
I find peace outside–hiking, camping, kayaking, mountain biking. A walk at sunset as the crows fly home and the bats come out. Time in a hammock reading a book. A backpacking trip to an alpine lake in the Pecos. My daughter and I are always looking for an adventure, and with her I find awe in the everyday. All my life I have relished a challenge, and my mama would tell you I never turned away from the hard road. In my life I have benefitted from great privilege, and I
have also encountered great hardship and grief, including the loss of my brother, Keith. For him, and for my daughter, I am compelled to make my life count, and do my part to make our communities healthier for everyone.
I am honored to have been asked to serve The Food Depot as its next executive director.
The team at the food bank is absolutely remarkable and I am so eager to see the change we are going to make together. It is a remarkable thing to be able to live your passion in your work, and I am grateful for that opportunity.
Advocacy has been a major focus during my career at The Food Depot, and one part of that work has focused around TEFAP Food, also called commodities. Understanding the federal USDA commodity program can help us all become better advocates for food banks.
The federal TEFAP program was established in 1983. Today, TEFAP offers more than 120 nutritious foods, including fruits, vegetables, eggs, meat, poultry, fish, nuts, milk, cheese, and whole-grain and enriched-grain products, such as rice, cereal and pasta.
Food banks did not distribute TEFAP foods when I arrived in New Mexico. Instead, a state agency distributed nonperishable food boxes to sites around the state. However, I knew our distribution network and ability to store food meant the program could expand to provide healthier food to more people. Taking ownership of TEFAP meant the food banks could also simplify the application form for clients.
We also increased the income threshold to 185% so more people could qualify for food.
Today, The Food Depot distributes protein, dairy, milk, eggs, butter, and a variety of other foods through the TEFAP program. The majority of our commodities support rural communities.
Although commodities are a primary way many food banks across the US provide food to people, the program is constantly in jeopardy. Across the Feeding America network, TEFAP foods decreased 50% from 2021 to 2022. However, elected officials can strengthen the TEFAP program in the Farm Bill.
The Farm Bill includes policy and funding for critical programs like SNAP and TEFAP.
I encourage you to keep learning about the federal nutrition programs that are so essential to the people we serve at The Food Depot. Take that extra minute to advocate for these programs. Reach out to your local, state elected officials and our congressional delegation, and tell them, “No one should be hungry.”
USDA purchases food–fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, and more–from US farms. USDA equitably distributes the food through states based on the number of people who qualify for assistance. The number is adjusted each year based on poverty and unemployment data.
States and the Feeding America Food Bank network place orders with USDA. Each state has guidelines for TEFAP distribution. In New Mexico, The Food Depot receives commodities from Roadrunner Food Bank.
After food banks receive their TEFAP items, the items are distributed directly to local partner agencies. TEFAP organizations can include soup kitchens, shelters, drive-through distributions, or choice-based markets like Casita de Comida.
Any individual that picks up commodity foods must fill out an application and qualify based on income. Currently, TEFAP foods support the diets of over 40 million Americans across the United States.
As we reach the conclusion of our Depot Dispatch journey, I hope you’ve found value and enjoyment in our shared time together.
I want to express my deepest gratitude for your trust and unwavering support of The Food Depot, both in the investment of your time and your generous contributions to our cause. Your confidence in The Food Depot has been truly invaluable, and I am immensely grateful for the privilege of being entrusted with your support.
Rest assured, as we move forward, you can continue to rely on us as a steadfast and dependable partner in our ongoing mission to create healthy, hunger-free communities.
Looking toward the future,
Sherry Hooper Executive Director
Years Strong - Investing in Sherry's Food Security Vision of a Healthy, Hunger-Free NM
Help continue the success of The Food Depot! As our beloved Sherry embarks on her well-deserved retirement journey, we are reaching out to our community to ask for your support.
In June, help raise $220,000 in honor of Sherry’s incredible career. Donations made in June will be matched to increase impact. Please give to help us continue Sherry’s vision.
The Food Depot turned 30 this year, and we want to hear your thoughts on food insecurity, advocacy, and the future. If you have 10 minutes, please take our anonymous survey.
I would love to hear from our donors, clients, and community partners! Everyone’s thoughts are welcome.
You can scan the QR code with your phone or visit www.surveymonkey. com/r/tfdsurvey2024 to take the survey.
We are pleased to announce a new, local partner for the Depot Dispatch. This edition is our first printing with the Santa Fe New Mexican.
This partnership will allow us to save costs on printing, improve communication, and use recycled paper! We are excited for this change and hope you enjoy the new look. Please reach out to media@thefooddepot.org with any questions about changes to the Depot Dispatch.
Staff members pose with Representative Teresa Leger Fernández and Representative Jim McGovern during a presentation at Casita de Comida.
enjoy some lunch during Stamp Out Hunger.
helps distribute zucchini during a site visit to First Baptist Church in Chama, NM.
Alexander does a little spring cleaning in the warehouse.
Support the 22 Years Strong Fund! In June, we are raising $220,000 in honor of Sherry’s incredible career. Donations made in June will be matched to increase impact. Please give to help us continue Sherry’s vision of a healthy, hunger-free New Mexico.
