FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE         

MEDIA ADVISORY

Roadrunner Food Bank

CONTACT: Jasmin Holmstrup

505-247-2052, ext 129

505-306-5203 (cell)

Roadrunner Food Bank Sends $100,000 Check

To America's Second Harvest For Hurricane Relief

Albuquerque, NM - September 19, 2005 – Today, Roadrunner Food Bank sent its first check of local contributions of $100,000 to America’s Second Harvest, the national hunger relief organization.  The funds are part of the local contributions received by Roadrunner Food Bank designated for Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief.  Roadrunner Food Bank is a member organization of America’s Second Harvest.

“It is an honor to send this $100,000 check to America’s Second Harvest.  It represents a small part of the outpouring of goodwill from our community.  We know that 100% of these funds will be used where they are needed most.”  said Melody Wattenbarger, Executive Director of Roadrunner Food Bank.  “We will be sending another large check in the next week as the public continues to be generous”.

To date, Roadrunner Food Bank has received approximately $120,000 in contributions designated for Hurricane Katrina.  These contributions have included $20,000 donated to Lt. Governor Diane Denish’s office by state and local employees.

As of Friday September 16, America’s Second Harvest has shipped over 827 truckloads of food or 27.2 million pounds of food to the affected area and surrounding states This equals an estimated 21.6 million meals.  Approximately 1 million people have been displaced by the disaster with almost 98,000 people remaining in emergency shelters in 27 states across the nation.  Residents at the Albuquerque shelter were situated in apartments10 days ago.

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.

To make a financial donation directly, contact the Roadrunner Food Bank, 247-2052, ext 102.  Roadrunner Food Bank is accepting donations and non-perishable items at its warehouse at 2645 Baylor Drive SE, near the airport.  Roadrunner Food Bank is accepting only financial contributions, food and non-perishable items.  The Food Bank is not accepting clothing.

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(Get DIRECTIONS TO THE FOOD BANK HERE)