RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) – Many New Mexicans are looking for help as the government shutdown continues and SNAP benefits are still stalled. Many are asking when and if they’ll receive their full November benefits.
“Well, what can you do? You gotta do the best you can, you know,” said Maria Turner of Sandoval County. Turner is retired, living on a fixed income with only her social security benefits. She says that after paying bills, it doesn’t leave her with enough to feed herself for the whole month. Which is why she and so many others are turning to local food banks like St. Felix Pantry.
The pantry located off of 528 and Southern in Rio Rancho is one of the only food banks that allows anyone to come collect groceries once a week. That’s in comparison to other food banks that serve the community every other week. Plus, there are no income restrictions. All you need to receive a full cart of groceries is a valid state ID.
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“We try to give them a well-rounded meal. We give them canned goods, they get meat, they get milk, they get desserts, and veggies and produce,” explained President and CEO of St. Felix Pantry Tim Sheahan. He continued saying they’ve seen a substantial uptick in the last month, going from about 500 customers two weeks ago to over 700…