Call to Action: Support our Neighbors Affected by Food Benefit Cuts

The ongoing government shutdown has resulted in the loss or reduction of essential SNAP and WIC benefits for many families. This is placing an immense strain on New Mexico’s household budgets and local resources. Nationwide, food banks are racing to meet sudden, increased demand for assistance. In New Mexico, 21% of our population receives food assistance. Even at the best of times, meeting the needs of our state is a challenge. Right now, many of us know someone who is affected, be it an elderly neighbor, a disabled veteran, a new mom and their baby, a friend, a Girl Scout, or a classmate.

Girl Scouts has a long, storied history of stepping up for our communities and rising to challenges. It is central to who we are!

We are organizing a community-wide food drive—Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails "Share the Care" Food Drive—to support Food Banks this season. These vital organizations provide food to families and individuals throughout New Mexico. We've created a list of trusted food banks that need our help filling their warehouses! Please go to our website for details and resources to help you launch your own food drive.

In this Call-to-Action, we will do our best to be:

Honest and Fair in our words and actions
Friendly and Helpful to our communities
Considerate and Caring to our neighbors
Courageous and Strong in the face of this challenge
Responsible for What We Say and Do in our promises to our community
and to:
Respect Ourselves and Others in times of need
Respect Authority, especially when we ask for help or information from knowledgeable sources like food banks
Use our Resources Wisely by using our council and local resources to help our neighbors
Make the World a Better Place by feeding our neighbors

This is how we can be a Sister to every Girl Scout in times of need.

CANNED FOOD ITEMS - canned meats, fish, vegetables, soups, fruits, pasta sauces, peanut butter & jam
DRY GOODS - Beans, crackers, cookies, egg or rice noodles, pasta, rice, powdered milk, coffee, tea, powdered creamers
SHELF STABLE READY TO MAKE FOODS - mac & cheese, stuffing mix, beans, hamburger helper type foods, ramen, soup mixes
READY TO EAT FOOD - individually wrapped healthy snacks or protein bars, snack packs, fruit cups, soup cups
BAKING NEEDS - flour, shortening, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, spices, salt, pepper
PLEASE NO: Refrigerated, fresh, or frozen foods. No glass jars or bottles. No open or expired packages.

To contribute to our food drive, please drop off donations at a local food pantry or at the GSNMT Office between November 1 and November 21.

Thank you for considering this request to help our Food Banks provide food to families in our communities who are facing unforeseen hardship.

Please email [email protected] for more information on this food drive.