Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce issued the following announcement on Mar. 24.
New Mexico Gas Company announced today that it is providing $150,000 to the New Mexico Association of Food Banks to support food banks and their hunger relief networks that are under stress because of economic disruption driven by the Coronavirus public health emergency.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is causing challenges for our state. The focus of our employees is to continue providing safe and reliable natural gas service for our customers, as well as the health and safety of our team members and the communities we serve. But we know food banks across the state have experienced fewer donations and increased demands on their services over the last week,” said Ryan Shell, President of New Mexico Gas Company. “We believe this contribution will immediately assist New Mexicans who are struggling as a result of this significant disruption in all of our lives.”
The New Mexico Association of Food Banks represents five organizations that provide food bank services across the state: Roadrunner Food Bank in Albuquerque, The Food Depot in Santa Fe, Echo Food Bank in Farmington, The Community Pantry in Gallup, and the Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico in Clovis.
“The goal of the five food banks in New Mexico is to continue providing essential hunger relief to our most vulnerable community members while minimizing opportunities for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to spread. The health and safety of our community are a top priority—and that includes access to food,” said Sherry Hooper, chairperson of the New Mexico Association of Food Banks. “The generosity of New Mexico Gas Company makes this goal a tangible reality. The New Mexico Association of Food Banks is incredibly grateful to New Mexico Gas Company for demonstrating such a commitment to those in need during these unprecedented times. Their philanthropic leadership is an example to all.”
The funding for New Mexico’s food banks comes from the $5 million Emera Economic Development Fund, a shareholder-supported program that is designated to promote and support economic development efforts in New Mexico. As with all community investments made by Emera and its operating companies, the contribution comes from shareholder investments and not customer rates.
Original source can be found here.
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