By Rodd Cayton
With supplies dwindling, operators of a program serving Albuquerque Public Schools’ neediest students are asking community members to spring into action to fight hunger.
APS Activities will host a food drive Saturday to benefit the McKinney Vento program, which serves students and families experiencing homelessness.
Joey Wilson, community partner coordinator for donations, said Friday the food drive will be led by students involved in activities at various APS schools.
The event will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Berna Facio Professional Development Complex, 3315 Louisiana Blvd. NE.
The items most needed include beef jerky, applesauce, pudding, fruit cups, granola and cereal bars, single-serve soups, ramen noodles, packaged nuts, rice, beans, individual packets of oatmeal and plastic utensils.
Wilson said shelves at the program warehouse were successfully re-stocked after a November food drive, but have since dwindled and staff are hoping to repeat the earlier achievement.
Those interested in donating but who can’t make it to Saturday’s event can drop off items between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Helen Fox Complex, 1730 University Blvd. SE. Wilson said the program has recently become able to accept donations of fresh fruits and vegetables.
She said community members can arrange to have substantial donations picked up.
Sharon Kukla-Acevedo, a faculty member in the School of Politics, Society, Justice and Public Service at Central Michigan University, says chronic hunger among students is linked to poorer grades, lower test scores, and worse graduation outcomes and postsecondary outcomes.
“The bottom line is that if students are hungry, they can’t focus as well on their academics,” APS Spokesperson Martin Salazar said. “For example, if you’re hungry at work, there is a very good chance you aren’t giving your full attention to your work.”
