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 Ramps Up Disaster Response

Prepares To Assist Those Affected By Hurricane Rita

Albuquerque, NM - September 23, 2005 – As Hurricane Rita approaches the Texas and Louisiana coast, Roadrunner Food Bank has stepped up its disaster response efforts.  The organization is preparing supplies and staging trucks to assist sister food banks in the affected regions.  Roadrunner is working closely with local agencies to get food, non-perishables and baby items ready for any evacuees that may come to Albuquerque from the affected  region.

“The level of need is unprecedented.  From the beginning, Roadrunner Food Bank has been working to help our sister food banks in the Gulf Coast region.  Now we are preparing to help the 20 already overburdened food banks in Texas as they begin feeding those affected by this monster storm.  Recovery from these storms will take weeks.  We are in need of additional funds and food to assist in this new disaster effort,” said Melody Wattenbarger, Executive Director of Roadrunner Food Bank. “We have already begun to field calls from people arriving in our area fleeing from the storm.  The most immediate way to help is a financial contribution.  Every dollar donated equals $13 in food for the victims.  Financial contributions allow Roadrunner Food Bank, and America’s Second Harvest, to get the most needed items to the victims as quickly as possible .”

To date, Roadrunner Food Bank has already sent $100,000 to America’s Second Harvest to assist in disaster recovery efforts.  100% of any funds received for disaster relief will go to that effort.  A second check of $40,000 is being sent in the next few days. Additional funds will be sent in the next few weeks.

Roadrunner Food Bank has collected over 1.1 million pounds of food from the community – equal to an estimated 880,000 meals.  The organization has readied the food for use as needed in the disaster recovery efforts.  Roadrunner Food Bank works with America’s Second Harvest on shipping the items where needed most.  There are 11 food banks in the Gulf Coast Region that have been affected by Katrina.  Over 20 food banks in Texas have already been burdened with supplying food and other items to those evacuated out of the Gulf Coast.  These food banks now will need to feed those left homeless, in shelters and evacuated to other areas.

To make a financial donation directly, contact Roadrunner Food Bank at 247-2052, ext 120 or online at www.rrfb.org.  Roadrunner Food Bank is accepting donations and non-perishable items at its warehouse located 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.

Roadrunner Food Bank continues to collect the following non-perishable items:

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

• Adult and Children’s diapers and Formula 

• Canned Foods

• Meal replacement beverages such as Ensure

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

• Heat and Eat Foods

• MRE'S

• Personal hygiene items

Note to the media: Roadrunner Food Bank is open from 8am-4pm on Saturday and scheduled to be closed on Sunday.  If the situation changes, we will notify the media about new operating hours.  

For more information visit our website at www.rrfb.org.

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(Get DIRECTIONS TO THE FOOD BANK HERE)