FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DISASTER NEWS RELEASE             

MEDIA ADVISORY

Roadrunner Food Bank

CONTACT: Melody Wattenbarger

505-247-2052, ext 100

505-417-9163 (cell)

GULF COAST FOOD BANKS caught in PERIL

Roadrunner Food Bank and America’s Second Harvest Network

 issue national plea for financial assistance for Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief

Albuquerque, NM - August 29,2005 – With Hurricane Katrina pummeling communities across the central Gulf Coast and sending tens of thousands of residents seeking higher ground inland, Roadrunner Food Bank has moved into disaster response mode to help sister food banks directly impacted by the wrath of the ferocious storm.

America’s Second Harvest—The Nation’s Food Bank Network is in need of food and funds to respond to Hurricane Katrina in states impacted by the disaster including Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida.  Roadrunner Food Bank is a member of the America’s Second Harvest Network, the largest domestic hunger-relief agency.  Currently, it is expected at least ten food banks and hundreds of their local food pantries and emergency shelters will be hit by the Katrina’s force over the next 36 hours.

“We are preparing to help our sister food banks in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida, as they begin to deal with feeding those affected by this disaster. They will face long weeks, even months of recovery. We are in need of funds and food to assist them in this effort,” said Melody Wattenbarger, Executive Director of the Roadrunner Food Bank.

Financial donations from the public and the corporate community are urged to help with the relief effort.  Funds raised will go directly to helping Network food banks maintain or resume operations during this critical time. “The fastest way people can help is by making a financial contribution,” said Melody Wattenbarger, Executive Director.

To make a financial donation which will directly assist America’s Second Harvest Members in affected areas, visit www.secondharvest.org or call 800-771-2303.    To make a financial donation directly, contact the Roadrunner Food Bank, 247-2052, ext 125.

Roadrunner Food Bank is collecting the following non-perishable items:

• Paper Goods: Plates, cups, diapers, tissue, paper towels, trash bags

• Cleaning Supplies: Bleach, Top Job, Mr. Clean type Products

• Water: Bottled Drinking Water (No Glass containers)

• Canned Foods

• Single serving snacks:  Pop Tarts, Cereal bars, Peanut Butter

• Heat and Eat Foods

• MRE'S

Since the infrastructure of the affected states cannot handle donations at this time, Roadrunner Food Bank urges the public to bring the needed items to our warehouse on 2645 Baylor Drive SE.   (Get DIRECTIONS HERE)

For more information about food donations, call Robin Schold at 247-2052 ext 107.