FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2018
The Food Depot responds to Ute Park Fire
SANTA FE — In response to the rapidly growing Ute Park Fire, The Food Depot has sent an emergency food supply to the evacuation shelter at the Raton Convention Center in Colfax County on Friday, June 1.
Justin Peters, director of warehouse operations for The Food Depot, is in contact with Thomas Vigil, Colfax County emergency manager and Jason Phillips, public works director in Raton, to provide first responders and evacuees with food and water. At this time, there have been 8,660 pounds sent to Raton — or the equivalent of 7,217 meals for distribution.
“As the food bank serving Colfax County, The Food Depot is ready to supply emergency food and water to first responders and those affected by the fire,” said Sherry Hooper, executive director of The Food Depot. “We have a disaster plan in place to respond to any emergency situation in any of our nine counties,” Hooper said.
The Food Depot staff monitored the situation over Thursday night and prepared one of its trucks to leave its warehouse in Santa Fe Friday morning for Raton. Supplies included bottled water, juice, meat, bread, non-perishable boxed lunches and pet food. The food bank also included fresh produce including tomatoes, cabbage, onions, potatoes and other assorted items.
The Food Depot staff will continue to communicate with all appropriate emergency response staff and respond in the appropriate manner.
The Food Depot is committed to ending hunger in Northern New Mexico. As the food bank for nine Northern New Mexico counties, The Food Depot provides food to more than 145 nonprofit agencies including emergency food pantries, hot meal programs, homeless shelters, youth programs, senior centers, homes for the mentally disabled and shelters for battered persons. This service enables these agencies to stay focused on their primary missions. The food bank distributes an average of 520,000 pounds of food and household products each month, providing more than 430,000 meals to people in need — the most vulnerable of our community — children, seniors, working families and those in ill health.
Thanks to Food Depot!