Letter to the editor: Food Bank staff thanks community for generosity

Members of the community packed a local restaurant Jan. 31 to raise funds for the Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico. After a night that included dinner, a live auction and individual donations, more than $2,600 was raised for the Food for Kids Weekend Backpack Program.

The Backpack Program sends food home with students who may not have enough to eat over the weekend. The funds raised will be used to purchase food for the program, which distributes single-serve entrees, cereal, peanut butter, shelf-stable milk and fruit. The program serves 483 students in Curry, Roosevelt, Guadalupe and De Baca counties.

The Backpack Program relies on many local businesses and organizations that donate funding, food and volunteer time to help package and deliver the food to 24 schools in the Food Bank's serving area.

The Food Bank staff wants to thank the community for its generosity. Because of their support, the Backpack Program can continue to grow and feed children in eastern New Mexico.

MelindaJoy Pattison

Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico executive director