DISASTER RELIEF
In New Mexico and across the United States, the threat of natural or man-made disasters striking often looms. Flash floods; devastating tornadoes; destructive fires; rarely do these events strike with adequate warning. Even when we have ample time to prepare in our homes, it often isn’t enough.
At times, Roadrunner Food Bank® may be called upon to help communities across the state and the nation to provide food and water after the damage and disaster has occurred. As part of the nationwide network of food banks, Feeding America affiliated food banks around the country just like Roadrunner Food Bank can step in when and where asked to participate in national disaster relief efforts. We distribute the food through existing infrastructure, such as emergency response groups or shelters and serve as warehousing when structures in the affected areas may need the extra space.
Disasters That Require Helping Our Neighbors
If you watch the news, you’ve seen some of the disasters that affect our neighbors, such as:
- Wildfires
- Hurricanes
- Tornadoes
- Flooding
- Mudslides
After these event, many families may be displaced or in crisis, often with entire neighborhoods or cities affected — sometimes with a lack of power too.
A few of the more significant examples where we’ve stepped in to help include:
- The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma asked for our assistance in providing food to help those in Oklahoma that were displaced by devastating tornadoes. Roadrunner Food Bank dispatched three tractor-trailer loads of food to Oklahoma.
- We were asked to provide water to the Magdalena community when their town wells ran low.
- We provided disaster response and support during the Las Conchas Fire in Los Alamos.
- We sent tractor trailer loads of food and water as part of the response during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
Hurricane Katrina damaged many buildings including food banks. Some had to temporarily close and relied on
Feeding America food banks across the country to warehouse food for a time.
Food Provided As Part of Disaster Relief Efforts
The most immediate way that Roadrunner Food Bank provides emergency help is often by providing semi-loads of non-perishable food items and what is known as MRE’s or Meals Ready to Eat. After disasters, often power isn’t available making refrigeration for certain food product difficult if nearly impossible in the affected area. Plus, during large scale disasters, “pop top” food items are highly requested because they are easy to open, provide a simple and easy to prepare especially when cooking utensils and kitchens maybe not be available, and are easy to carry multiple
How You Can Help During a Disaster
During a disaster or emergency, Roadrunner Food Bank is activated to help when requested and can bring a variety of food and water to communities by tractor-trailer. In order to continue delivering to disaster areas, we need the constant support of our community to replenish food inventory in our warehouse. Giving is especially important during times of crisis when we often have to use existing inventory of food and water or unplanned expenditures for additional storage and distribution costs.
The best way to help support disaster relief efforts is by donating funds. Organizations often use those funds to obtain what is needed in large volumes and quantities for efficiencies and cost effectiveness. You can help us respond to disaster crises and provide relief to those affected by making a monetary donation, joining our monthly giving club, or volunteering at Roadrunner Food Bank.
In instances we aren’t involved in the direct response, we often will provide information about the organizations responding to the disaster on our website. Often our donors and supporters have an interest in getting involved and we feel its our role to provide a list of trusted, reliable nonprofit food banks in the affected community.
