CHILDHOOD HUNGER INITIATIVE

Hunger can have immediate and lasting effects on children during the most crucial developmental stage in their lives. The Childhood Hunger Initiative (CHI) at Roadrunner® Food Bank is the evolution of our former Food For Kids (FFK) program. Through CHI, the food bank aims to feed hungry children by feeding the entire family. By working with schools to provide food to families in a variety of ways, the initiative dramatically increases the amount of food and meals families and their children will receive to solve childhood hunger in New Mexico.

How the Childhood Hunger Initiative Helps Solve Childhood Hunger

The Childhood Hunger Initiative (CHI) works to solve child and family hunger by providing each partner school the ability to receive food from Roadrunner Food Bank through a combination of hunger-relief programs:

1. School Pantries – Provides each school the opportunity to create a school-based or on-site food pantry allowing families to receive help anytime it is needed during the school year.
2. Mobile Pantries – Every month families at participating schools receive a monthly mobile or “traveling” food pantry held at the school’s location. Each family receives about 50 pounds of food including healthy food such as vegetables, fruit, dairy, meat and much more.
3. Backpacks – Supplements food for children and families in situations where a parent/guardian is unable to pick up food from the school.  A small amount of food can be sent home in a backpack with the child to help the family through a short amount of time.

Our Childhood Hunger Initiative

Roadrunner Food Bank works with elementary, middle schools, and high schools. The initiative also aims to:

1. Reach as many as 16 New Mexico counties, providing improved access to healthy foods for children and families with school partners.
2. The initiative provides children and families access to more consistent meals.
3. Provide significantly more amounts of food to feed the entire family compared to our former Food for Kids program.

Becoming a Childhood Hunger Initiative School Partner

If you are interested in potentially being considered for our Childhood Hunger Initiative at your school, please call (505) 349.5352 or email ProgramsSupport@rrfb.org. Please also complete this short questionnaire regarding your needs and intentions. Once the form is submitted, our staff will review it and get back to you within a few weeks. Please note, this is not the official application or agreement of partnership.  It simply helps us understand your current food assistance program or your intentions to start one.

Keep in mind, we are seeking partners who are committed to serving their community year-round. As the site host and sponsor, you’ll be asked to:

• Coordinate dates and logistics of your anticipated delivery with Roadrunner Food Bank staff.
• Select a site with good parking and accessibility for a tractor-trailer or semi truck.
• Organize the location, volunteers, and tables to facilitate food distribution.
• Spread the word within your school about the scheduled delivery.
• Roadrunner’s fleet will deliver food directly to your school if selected for partnerships and in coordination with you.

Finding Food Assistance

If you need access to food assistance in your area, please click here and enter your zip code.

Help Solve Childhood Hunger in New Mexico

Roadrunner Food Bank serves tens of thousands of children in New Mexico through member partners and direct service programs each year like the Childhood Hunger Initiative.

You can help solve childhood hunger with a gift.