Sandia Area To Match $25,000 in Donations For Hungry Families

Sandia Area, New Mexico’s fourth largest credit union, is once again partnering with Storehouse New Mexico for their annual FACE the Hunger campaign to feed hungry children in the community.

The goal of FACE (Feeding Area Children Everyday) is to ensure local children and their families can enjoy the holidays without hunger and have food to eat well into the new year.

The credit union has pledged to match up to $25,000 in donations during the FACE campaign, kicking off November 20 and running through January 5, 2024. Donations can be made online at Sandia.org, or at any branch location. Each Albuquerque branch is also collecting non-perishable food items to benefit Storehouse New Mexico.

“Without proper nutrition, New Mexico’s kids cannot focus on their education, mental or physical well-being,” said Rachael Garcia, Sandia Area’s Senior Vice-President of Marketing. “Meals make all the difference in the world to these children, and with Storehouse New Mexico, a single dollar can provide five meals for a hungry family.”

The credit union has set a goal of $50,000, including that $25,000 in pledged matches. That’s about 250,000 meals for New Mexico’s hungry kids and their families, according to Sandia Area CEO Kevin Todd, who is a member of the Storehouse New Mexico board of directors. Todd said the need this year has never been greater.

“These are challenging times, with groceries costs rising and more families than ever needing help this holiday,” said Todd. “Last year’s FACE campaign brought in $119,000, including our $25,000 match. This year, we’re asking the community to help us set another record donation for hungry families.”

According to Storehouse New Mexico, one in five New Mexico children experiences food insecurity. The Storehouse New Mexico is one of the state’s largest food pantries, feeding 35,000 New Mexicans per year, on average, from infants to the seniors.