FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DISASTER NEWS RELEASE             

MEDIA ADVISORY

Roadrunner Food Bank

CONTACT: Jasmin Holmstrup

505-247-2052, ext 129

505-306-5203 (cell)

Roadrunner Food Bank Sending 4 Truckloads

To Feed Hurricane Survivors In Texas

Albuquerque, NM - October 14, 2005 – Roadrunner Food Bank is sending 4 truckloads of disaster relief supplies to food banks in Beaumont and Fort Worth Texas. Approximately 75,000 pounds will be sent between Saturday and Tuesday.

“New Mexicans should be extremely proud of their efforts on behalf of those affected by the recent hurricanes. Their contributions of cash and non perishable item are truly changing people’s lives”, said Melody Wattenbarger, Executive Director of the Roadrunner Food Bank. 

Items included in the shipments are: non-perishable food in cans, snack foods, dry Goods, toys for children, juices and beverages, baby products and foods, personal items and paper goods. 

Roadrunner Food Bank received over 1 million pounds of non-perishable items for those affected by the storms in the Gulf Coast region.  A member organization of America’s Second Harvest, the nation’s hunger relief organization, Roadrunner is storing items and shipping them as needed throughout the affected region. Other shipments have gone to Louisiana and Mississippi.

America’s Second Harvest has sent  over 1,350 truckloads of food or 43.6 million pounds of food to the affected area and surrounding states This equals an estimated 34.1 million meals.

America’s Second Harvest has a memo of understanding with FEMA to respond to and prepare for disasters. The organization provides food and non-perishable items to emergency shelters, distribution centers and food banks for as long as they are needed. Recovery efforts are expected to last several months.  100% of the donations collected for Hurricane Katrina will be directly used to support disaster relief efforts and assist food banks providing food to the people who need it most.  

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