100% Otero addresses food insecurity in Otero County
Every county in New Mexico has residents experiencing food insecurity. The New Mexico Roadrunner Food Bank reports that 1 in 4 New Mexico children are at risk for hunger, and 1 in 6 people overall will experience food uncertainty.
Food security programs are services that can mean the difference between adequate nutrition and hunger. Access to food security programs with stable supplies can support healthy families and prevent instability that can lead to child neglect, substance misuse, and domestic violence. The American Psychological Association reports that school-age children who experience severe hunger are at increased risk for homelessness, chronic health conditions, stressful life conditions, psychiatric distress, behavioral problems, and internalizing behavior, including depression, anxiety, withdrawal, and poor self-esteem. The good news is that improved nutrition, increased environmental stimulation, emotional support, and secure attachment to parents/caregivers can compensate for early undernutrition.
In 2020, 100% Otero conducted a county-wide survey to identify and address barriers to ten necessary vital services for surviving and thriving. Survival services include medical/dental care, behavioral health care, food, housing, and transportation. Thriving services include parent supports, early childhood learning, community schools, youth mentors, and job training.
The 100% Otero survey found that 45% of those who reported needing food services also reported difficulty in accessing those food security programs. Respondents with children in the household were more than twice as likely to report the need for food assistance than those without children.
Once the Food Sector team confirmed that residents were having difficulty accessing food services, they determined what barriers were preventing residents from getting the food they needed. Then the team set to work creating action plans with strategies to address these barriers.
The greatest barrier to overcome was lack of awareness of all available food services. The Food Action Team revised and has maintained a comprehensive list of all food providers in Otero County, including operating hours, contact information, and type of service offered. Some providers offer a food pantry, where the client may choose the food they need; others offer food distribution where food boxes are put together in advance for clients. There are also providers who prepare a meal that can be enjoyed in a sit-down dining facility, picked up as a grab-and-go meal, or delivered to the home. This list is formatted as an easy-to-read weekly calendar which is updated regularly. This Food Pantry and Meal list is available on the New Mexico State University website at https://oteroextension.nmsu.edu/otero-county-food-resour.html.
Most food pantries and community meals have no eligibility requirements. Everyone is welcome! If you have questions about a specific food distribution site, please call the contact number listed on the resource guide at the link above.
The 100% Otero Food Action Team strives to collaborate with local groups already providing services to make them more accessible. Two of the many groups aiding in the fight against hunger are The New Mexico Roadrunner Food Bank and Love, INC.
The Roadrunner Food Bank provides food to hundreds of partners across the state including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and regional food banks. They also distribute food through specialized programs helping children, families, and seniors. To assist clients, The Roadrunner Food Bank offers an online food finder on their website www.rrfb.org and also operates a Food Assistance Line at 575-523-4390 which provides information for several distribution partners in your zip code. Have paper and a pen ready when you call.
As an indicator of chronic food insecurity in our county, during the last school year, the staff at Alamogordo and Tularosa Public Schools identified 221 students at risk. Love, INC provides weekend backpacks of food for these students. This program is funded mainly through donations and is facilitated through the work of volunteers.
If you are in need of services in any of the ten vital service areas, you can search the Otero County database at Otero – Choose your Service | Ten Vital Services, New Mexico (tenvitalservicesnm.org). What can you do to help? The team’s greatest need is volunteers to serve on the Food Action Team assisting in feeding those in Otero County who are in need. You may also donate to food drives, host a collection bin at your organization or place of business or donate to local groups providing food. If you would like to join the 100% Otero Food Action Team, contact Kam Portillo at kportillo@gcrmc.org or 100% Otero at weavingitalltogether@100otero.org
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: 100% Otero addresses food insecurity in Otero County
