OCTOBER 2006

HOT NEWS

MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY and HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVES

 

This year, for Make A Difference Day – you have the ability to feed people all year long.  USA WEEKEND, the national tabloid magazine, is working with America’s Second Harvest, the Nation’s Food Bank Network, to focus activities nationwide on ending hunger in our communities with food drive efforts

 

Roadrunner Food Bank is working with our Media and Corporate sponsors and Community partners to make a difference this holiday season.  We are kicking-off our annual Holiday Food Drive on Saturday, October 28th, Make A Difference Day.

 

We have many activities going on during the three weeks between October 28 and November 19.  On October 27, the day USA WEEKEND is included in the Albuquerque Journal, their parent company, the Albuquerque Publishing Company and employees will be collecting food for and filling 350 of our new Emergency Family Food Kits  We are very excited that the Albuquerque Publishing Company has embraced this much-needed project and our organization!  (See below for more information about the Emergency Food for Families Kits)

 

That same Friday, Steve Stucker of KOB-TV Channel 4 will be broadcasting from the food bank during the noon show.  This year we are celebrating 10 years of our partnership with KOB-TV Channel 4.  They have been instrumental in helping us to grow the annual food drive.

 

During that week at our warehouse we will be working with over 500 volunteers from area businesses and organizations. Volunteers will be helping to create 10,000 Senior Helpings Boxes, enough to feed seniors for several months.

 

If you are unable to volunteer on Make a Difference Day, or are thinking about what project you can do --- Think of making a difference all year long. Volunteer when you can, encourage your friends, neighbors and colleagues to host a food drive or donate through a virtual food drive.  With your help and that of our community, we can turn those 24 hours into a year-long effort in feeding 240,000 hungry New Mexicans.

Holiday Food Drives

Help feed hungry New Mexicans this holiday season by participating in 2006 Food Drive sponsored by KOB Channel 4.  We hope to raise more than a million pounds of food between now and Thanksgiving.  There are many ways to get involved and help your neighbors.

 

Letter Carriers’ “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive

Every year Roadrunner Food Bank works with the National Association of Letter Carriers and National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association to collect donations of food.  On November 15th, letter carriers will deliver flyers reminding the public to leave food out at their mailboxes on Saturday, November 18th for them to pick up for Roadrunner Food Bank.

Virtual Food Drive

Trouble getting to the store? If so, Roadrunner Food Bank encourages you to help out the hungry by donating through our "Virtual Food Drive".  Did you know that Roadrunner can convert every dollar donated into $13 worth of food because we buy overstock and closeout items from selected vendors in large quantities at a large savings. 

 

With the "Virtual Food Drive" you can be assured that the Food Bank gets exactly the food items that are needed most!

 

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

THE VIRTUAL FOOD DRIVE

 

Group/Employee Food Drives

We invite your group or company to conduct a holiday food drive for Roadrunner Food Bank.  While our official food drive dates are November 11-18th, please feel free to have your food drive at any time that works for you.  Call Patty Gillis at 247-2052 ext 130 or email her at patty@rrfb.org for help coordinating your group’s food drive.

 

Smith’s Food & Drug Stores

Look for a food drive shopping bag in the November 15th issue of the Albuquerque Journal.  Fill your bag with any of the non-perishable food items that will be printed on the bag and bring them to any Albuquerque-area Smith’s for drop off and collection by Roadrunner.

 

American Home

Each day from November 11-18th between 10:00 am and 7:00 pm, Roadrunner Food Bank will have a Donation Site at American Home on the corner of Carlisle and Menaul to accept food donations.  Please bring us your non-perishable food donations.  Help make a family’s Thanksgiving dinner complete by donating a frozen turkey.

 

Whole Foods Percent Day

Thank you to Whole Foods Market for holding a "Percent Day" for Roadrunner Food Bank on September 19th, 2006.  Whole Foods donated 2.5% of their total gross proceeds from that day; $1507.33!  Staff from Roadrunner were at the store to answer questions and hand out information about the Food Bank and our work.  Our sincere thanks to Whole Foods Market and to all of you who shopped that day to help end hunger in New Mexico.

Volunteer News

Volunteers Still Needed for Upcoming Events:

We have had a great response to our calls for volunteers for the 2006 holiday food drives.  We still have many volunteer opportunities available, however, including:

 

Stamp out Hunger Letter Carriers’ Food Drive, Saturday, November 18th

Help out by working a two-hour shift at a local US Postal Service substation.  Volunteers will help unload the food from the letter carriers’ vehicles, sort the food and load it onto a Roadrunner truck.  Please consider volunteering for two hours between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm at one of the following sub-stations:

  • Steve Schiff Substation, 9719 Candelaria NE

  • Uptown Substation, 2505 Graceland NE

  • Main Post Office, 1135 Broadway

  • Highland Substation, 111 Alvarado SE

  • Foothills Substation, 13101 Lomas NE

  • North Valley Substation, 110 Montano Rd NE

  • Five Points Substation, 1050 Sunset Rd SW

  • Airport Substation 2100 George RD SE

A special thanks to the many people who have already signed up to volunteer at a substation on the 18th, and to several groups and businesses who have “adopted” substations, including: El Dorado High School and 898 MUNS of Kirtland Air Force Base at Manzano Substation, Paradise Methodist Church at Richard Pino Substation, Citi Cards at Academy Substation and Boy Scout Pack 119 at Highland Substation.

 

American Home Collection Site - November 11th - 18th

Collect food donations at our truck located at American Home on the corner of Carlisle and Menaul the week of November 11-18th.  We will need volunteers each day that week from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.  We ask volunteers to consider working a two-hour shift.

 

DAY DATE TIME
Saturday November 11th 1:00pm – 7:00pm
Sunday November 12th 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Monday November 13th 1:00pm – 7:00pm
Tuesday November 14th 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Wednesday November 15th 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Thursday November 16th 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Friday November 17th 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Saturday November 18th 10:00am – 7:00pm

 

Sortin' Sunday at the Food Bank - November 19th

Hundreds of volunteers are still needed for “Sortin’ Sunday,” November 19th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at Roadrunner Food Bank.  We need volunteers to help us sort food drive donations so they can be distributed in time for Thanksgiving that week.

 

Senior Helpings Boxing Event - October 26th - 28th

We currently have more than 500 volunteers signed up to help on our volunteer project for Make a Difference Day.  The Senior Helpings boxing event takes place October 26, 27 and 28 at Roadrunner Food Bank.  We hope to make 10,000 boxes over the three days for distribution all winter to low-income seniors.  Senior Helpings is Roadrunner Food Bank’s supplemental nutrition program for seniors that reaches more than 21,000 elderly per year.

 

Food Drive Flyer Distribution - October 23rd - November 22nd

Volunteer by handing out food drive flyers in front of a Smith’s store any time from now until Thanksgiving.  All area Smith’s stores will be collection sites for the holiday food drive.  Let us know which store you will be volunteering at and the times.  We will supply the flyers.

 

For additional information on any of these volunteer opportunities, please contact Stephanie Silver at 247-2052 x. 101 or send her an EMAIL

Program News

FOOD FOR KIDS Update

The Food for Kids Program is up and running and, because of some very special donors, we have been able to expand the program significantly from last year. This year we'll have 35 schools in the program and feed over 2,600 students per week across the entire five county region (Socorro, Torrance, Valencia, Bernalillo and Sandoval). This is a 24% jump from the 2,100 students we served in 2004 and 2005.  Food For Kids is also expanding into rural schools where there is less of a safety net for these kids.  We still have 18 schools on the waiting list that we hope to be able to add over the next year or two.

 

New EMERGENCY FOOD FOR FAMILIES Program

Roadrunner Food Bank has begun offering elementary schools on the Food For Kids waiting list a new program called the Emergency Food for Families.  Schools are the first institution to notice changes in family dynamics and are valuable partners in helping Roadrunner Food Bank reach families in need.  The emergency food kits are available to a family in crisis and contain enough food and utensils to feed a family of four for 24 hours.  The food is ready to eat and requires no cooking so a family in crisis can use everything in the kit immediately.  The kits also contain a resource referral guide to help the family connect to services that can assist them until they are back on their feet.

 

If you have any questions about the Food For Kids or Emergency Food For Families programs, please call Teresa Johansen at 247-2052 ext 124 or email her at teresa@rrfb.org.

Holiday Giving

Share the Holiday Spirit . . . .

with Unique Gift Cards from Roadrunner Food Bank!

This holiday season, Roadrunner Food Bank is again offering special holiday gift cards for donors wishing to make contributions in honor of friends, colleagues, clients and family members.  Roadrunner Holiday Cards are a great way to spread the season of sharing with those in our community who are most vulnerable to hunger . . . not just now, but all year long.  

 

Donors may send in cash donations to the food bank along with a list of names and addresses of those they are honoring.   Cards may be purchased for $10, $25, $50 or $75 each.  Roadrunner Food Bank will send each recipient a high-quality, full-color card for the holidays. 

 

To order 2006 Holiday Gift Cards, call Patty Gillis at Roadrunner Food Bank at 247-2052 ext. 130 or send her an EMAIL

Download the Holiday Gift Card Form Today!

 

Adobe® PDF                  Microsoft® Word®

Take Action

Please use the email links below to contact us

A Letter Carrier Bringing in the Food!

Please use the web links below to take action

Turn My $1 Into

$13 Worth of Food

Donate Online Now!

Volunteer My Time

Sign up to Volunteer

Conduct A Food Drive

Advocate For the Hungry

Join the Full Plate Society

Get Ideas on Hosting A Food Drive

Find Out More About the Food Bank

Join With the Food Bank as a Partner Agency

Agency News

Welcome To New Agency Partners!

New agencies are continually signing up to receive food from Roadrunner Food Bank.  Through more than 700 agency and food bank partners, Roadrunner Food Bank reaches more than 250,000 New Mexicans a year.  We are delighted to welcome the following agencies to our hunger relief network.

 

Laguna Pueblo

Ramona Dillard, 505-552-6652

Laguna Pueblo, NM

    

Laguna Pueblo's office of behavioral health and social services will be a food distribution site for approximately 50 people.  With a population of about 7,700, Laguna Pueblo is one of the largest Keresan pueblos.  The pueblo consists of six villages: Encinal, Laguna, Mesita, Paguate, Paraje and Seama.  It is located 45 miles west of Albuquerque off I-40 and 31 miles east of Grants.

 

Advocacy, Inc

Tammy Vigil, 505-266-3166

6301 4th NW Suite 3

Albuquerque, NM  87107

 

Advocacy Inc. has been in operation since 1986, promoting the interests of New Mexico children and youth by providing legal advocacy and other support services.   Advocacy Inc. serves children living with grandparents and other family members, children living with caretakers, orphaned children, victims of physical and sexual abuse, victims of abandonment and neglect, babies born drug or alcohol dependent, children of incarcerated or institutionalized parents, exploited teenagers, and teenagers involved in the juvenile justice system. 

 

Upcoming Agency Workshops

Roadrunner Food Bank offers monthly workshops on topics of interest to our agency partners.  Next month’s workshop on Strategic Planning and Evaluation takes place Thursday, November 2 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm. 

 

For more information, contact Rebecca Rodriguez at 247-2052 ext 115 or send her an EMAIL

 

Healthy Recipes

Roadrunner Food Bank is committed to providing nutritious food to those seeking hunger relief.  Did you know that more than 51% of the food we distribute is perishable? 

 

For example, this month, Roadrunner Food Bank has received a generous donation of frozen fish from Trader Joe’s, including salmon.  Salmon is an excellent source of protein and is packed with Omega-3 fatty acid; a nutrient that helps lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.  We also have fresh red peppers, onions, carrots, tomatoes and frozen ground beef.  The recipe below for Stuffed Red Peppers uses these healthy foods to make a meal that is nutritious and filling.

 

Stuffed Red Peppers

6 large (8-ounce) red bell peppers
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped onions

1 cup grated carrots
6 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2/3 cup cooked rice, cooled
1 tablespoon sweet Hungarian paprika

1 1/4 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

1 cup chopped tomatoes
2 1/2 cups canned tomato sauce
1 1/4 pounds lean ground beef
1 large egg


Cut off top 1/2 inch of peppers and reserve. Scoop seeds from cavities. Discard stems and chop pepper tops. Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions, carrots, parsley, garlic, and chopped pepper pieces. Sauté until onions soften, about 8 minutes. Transfer to large bowl. Sauté beef in skillet until cooked. Mix in rice, tomato, paprika, salt, pepper, and allspice. Cool 10 minutes. Combine 1/2 cup tomato sauce, beef and egg with vegetables.

 

Fill pepper cavities with beef mixture. Stand filled peppers in single layer in heavy large pot. Pour remaining 2 cups of tomato sauce around peppers.  Reduce heat to medium-low, cover pot and simmer 20 minutes. Cook until peppers are tender and filling is cooked through and firm, about 20 minutes. (Can be made 1 day ahead.  Cool, cover and chill.  Re-warm covered over low heat.)  Makes 6 servings

 

As part of our Feeding Families and Healthy Foods Initiatives, Roadrunner is creating a recipe book to assist agencies and clients in the preparation of produce and non-perishable foods from the food bank. Each month, our e-newsletter will feature a different recipe. If you would like to help with this project or donate healthy family favorites, please contact rebecca@rrfb.org .

Food For Thought Tours

Do you want to know more about the food bank? Come see how you can help us end hunger. Every third Thursday of the month we host a one-hour tour of the food bank at 8am.    Our next tours are Thursday, November 16th and Thursday, December 21st at 8am.

 

Family Fun Tours

Roadrunner Food Bank invites parents with children under the age of 10 to experience our warehouse.  Through a tour and hands on experience sorting non-perishable food, children will learn how Roadrunner Food Bank processes 60,000 lbs of food per day.  If your family is interested in joining us, please contact Patty Gillis at 247-2052 ext. 130 or send an EMAIL.

 

Have a group of friends you’d like to bring on a tour?  Contact Jasmin at 247-2052 ext 129 or jasmin@rrfb.org for more information. 

Full Plate Society

A Place At The Table Event Set

November 1, 2006 from 7:30am to 8:30am at the Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town, Roadrunner Food Bank will host “A Place at the Table,” our annual breakfast event to invite supporters to consider joining the Full Plate Society.  Full Plate Society members make a minimum annual commitment of $1,000 for five years.  Pledges may be paid yearly ($1,000) or monthly (for  only $84/month) by check or credit card.  Additionally, you may designate through the United Way or Combined Federal Campaign. 

 

If you would like to attend A Place at the Table and learn more about the Full Plate Society, please contact Lee Liggett at 247-2052 ext 125 or send an email to lee@rrfb.org.

Download and View Our Latest Printed Newsletter

Now you can download and view a PDF Version of our Printed Newsletter.  There are lots of good articles and info inside.  Print out a copy or two for friends who may not be familiar with the Food Bank!

The PDF version of our Print Newsletter requires that you have the Adobe® Reader software installed.  To get your free copy, simply click the Adobe® Reader Button below:

GET THE PRINT NEWSLETTER NOW!

Tell Your Friends and Colleagues!

Please help us to spread the word! FORWARD THIS NEWSLETTER.  Share with your friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, or anyone you know that cares about making a difference in the lives of our hungry neighbors.  Our success in the fight against hunger depends on the support of people like you. 

Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico

2645 Baylor Drive SE

Albuquerque, NM  87106

Phone: 505-247-2052

Web: www.rrfb.org

Email: info@rrfb.org

Copyright © 2000-2006 Roadrunner Food Bank, Inc 

all rights reserved

Thank you for your continued support of Roadrunner Food Bank's mission to end hunger in New Mexico!  For more information on what we're doing about hunger, please visit our web site at www.rrfb.org. 

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