ALBUQUERQUE — The State of New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department, Human Services Department and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) are working together in a public-private partnership to feed more than 3,000 New Mexicans who are food insecure due to the pandemic.

Since the start of the pandemic, with assistance from tribal communities, the National Guard, food banks and pantries, private food distributors, churches and nonprofits, the State of New Mexico has helped facilitate delivery of more than 2 million pounds of food to New Mexicans who are food insecure. Deliveries have included donations, food from grants and food purchased using Federal and State emergency funds. These collaborations developed during the pandemic can serve as a roadmap to bring a new level of responsiveness to combat food insecurity across the State for years to come.

The state received 120,000 pounds of food, supplies, and use of delivery vehicles from Latter- Day Saints volunteers on Tuesday morning to feed at least 3,000 people from rural and frontier communities, seniors and the general public.

"As New Mexico's tribal communities continue to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 it is heartening to see the generosity of our neighbors," said Indian Affairs Secretary Lynn Trujillo. "This week's delivery of over 120,000 pounds of food to Albuquerque's urban native population by the Church of Latter Day Saints is greatly appreciated. Working alongside our sister- agencies and philanthropic organizations, our state continues to be responsive and effective in our relief efforts in tribal communities."

Those experiencing financial hardship through the pandemic can find resources at https://www.newmexico.gov/i-need-assistance/. If you wish to help your neighbors during these uncertain times, please contact the food bank that serves your county to be matched up to opportunities close to home. To learn how you can help, please visit http://www.nmfoodbanks.org or https://www.rrfb.org.