RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) – One of the metro’s biggest food pantries is now asking for help, as a big dip in donations this summer is head-to-head with continued demand in the number of people needing help.
“So we’re experiencing over 600 guests a week right now in a nine-hour period on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday when we’re open,” explained President and CEO of St. Felix Pantry Tim Sheahan.
Seeing that demand for food has grown over the last year, now more than ever the usual ‘summer lull’ is putting major pressure on the pantry, “We open up at nine in the morning. I have people here on Thursday morning, starting at 6:30 in the morning in our parking lot,” continued Sheahan.
President Sheahan said that while it’s common to see a drop in donations right now, federal changes to SNAP benefit requirements, and rising costs mean there’s greater demand for the food on their shelves. “At the end of the year, November, December, everybody wants to do food drives for you and that kind of stuff. And now the time is we need it now because the food is, as you’ll see from our shelves, are pretty bare,” said Sheahan.
While these crates are typically stocked to the top right now, they are empty, but despite the challenge, the pantry said it’s still working to supply everyone who shows up to their doors a well-balanced grocery haul consisting of fruits, veggies, and grains…