Food bank just in time

STAFF WRITER

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The Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico volunteers have a couple reasons to enjoy the fruits of their labor: raising tens of thousands of dollars and an unexpected delivery of 13,000 pounds of produce.

After almost one year of fundraising, the food bank collected enough money just in time to obtain a $20,000 grant.

The food bank matched the challenge grant, offered last November by the Carl C. Anderson Sr. and Marie Jo Anderson Charitable Foundation, on Thursday — three weeks before the Nov. 11 deadline.

According to Food Bank Executive Director Dianna Hernandez, this means a combined $40,000 will go toward the Food For Kids Backpack Program and the new Feeding Families Pantry Program.

The backpack program provides weekend food bags for area students, while the pantry program aims to provide Clovis and Portales families with monthly food boxes this school year.

Early this week, Hernandez saw firsthand how the grant can impact a family.

“We had a grandmother come in,” Hernandez said, “who had to unexpectedly take in her grandchildren. With her monthly income, she did not have a way to feed them. This grant means we can make weekend meals possible for children who are in those situations.”

The funds for the grant were collected year-round through various events and donations from businesses, organizations and individuals.

But the last piece completing the $20,000 puzzle was a check from the Clovis Rotary Club.

Rotary Club Board member Joy Felty and Rotary Club President Mike Morris developed the idea of holding a miniature golf tournament Oct. 1 to help the food bank reach its goal.

The effort paid off — in the amount of $6,000.

“Everybody in the Rotary Club was super excited and kind of shocked at the fact we were able to raise that much,” Felty said. “Being that it was our first time doing that event, we really didn’t expect that.

“Personally, it touches me that we were able to help the food bank reach that end part of their goal, and I’m thankful for everyone who volunteered and participated.”

Just two days prior to meeting its goal, the food bank got a donation of a different kind.

After a truck carrying produce rolled over near San Jon, the retailer rejected the salvaged food and it was delivered to the food bank instead.

Hernandez said the 13,000 pounds of retail-quality produce is significant for the food bank, which moves an average of 40,000 to 50,000 pounds per month.

“We were so grateful that the produce could be salvaged instead of trashed,” Hernandez said, “grateful that no one was seriously injured in the accident, and looking forward to putting fresh and healthy food on families’ tables.”

The produce will be distributed to the community 8 a.m. Saturday at Central Christian Church in Portales and 1 p.m. Monday at the Produce to People market at the Curry County Fairgrounds.