 |
| Keri Sutter and David Poole (Photo Winona Poole) |
A part of our online event will be very familiar. David Poole will teach and perform a song he composed for our World Food Day events in recent years, and Keri Sutter from Surgite Sacred Dance Company will show us the hand movements that accompany the song. David and Keri, with help from Winona Poole, recorded this portion in the open space of the Albuquerque North Valley.
One of our themes is similar to those in past years: to promote food and agriculture practices that protect the right to food for future generations. The global campaign is entitled Grow, Nurish, Sustain.Together. In our video, we will hear from Think Like a Bee, which underscores the importance of bees to our future food production and from the Water Resources Action Project, which tells us about efforts to bring life-sustaining water to portions of the Navajo and Hopi Nations.
Assistance during the Pandemic
Our celebration also recognizes the local organizations and faith communities that have helped mitigate hunger and food insecurity during this time of quarantine. AFSC Farm to Food Bank tells us how the organization has supported local agricultural producers while providing assistance to pantries and food banks in New Mexico. Among those receiving assistance from the AFSC program is Shared Table/El Pueblito United Methodist Church, which tells us about the increased need in the Taos area during the pandemic, and how clients continue to be served.
The Rio Grande Food Project in Albuquerque and St. Felix Pantry in Rio Rancho also describe how they adapted their operations to continue their mission of feeding local residents despite a quarantine.The M.T.O Shahmagsoudi School of Islamic Sufism discusses its volunteer projects in Albuquerque during the pandemic.
We also have a brief story of an extraordinary partnership between the Santa Fe Community College culinary program and World Central Kitchen, an organization founded by Chef José Andrés to provide meals during a time of extreme emergency. The two came together to bring needed assistance to Kewa Pueblo and another Pueblo in New Mexico.
The Baha'i Assembly in Gallup has a similar story, coming together with the Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation to bring assistance to residents of the Navajo Nation.
Our video will also feature prayers from Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Native spiritual leaders.
In addition to releasing the video on October 16, we will also post more information about the participating organizations and faith communities, including a link on how to help them financially to continue their mission.
Resources:
- Nearly one in three UNM students faces food insecurity. See report, entitled Basic Needs Insecurity at UNM: 2020 Research Report.
- Bread for the World's Vote to End Hunger guide
- The Impact of the Coronavirus on Local Food Insecurity (Feeding America Report)
- Roadrunner Food Bank's Coronavirus Report on New Mexico (based on Feeding America report)
- Annie E. Casey Foundation KIDS COUNT Profile for New Mexico, 2020 Data Book
Upcoming Events
October 13, 2020 2:00-3:30 P.M.
New Mexico Voices for Children KIDS COUNT Conference
This is the second of a series of three sessions. The series aims to lift up strategically and intentionally anti-racist policy reforms to improve child well-being and to address the impacts of COVID-19 and the current recession on children and families in New Mexico. The third session is scheduled for December 9 Tickets are $25 per session Register Here
October 22, 6:30-7:45
New Mexico Interfaith Power & Light Virtual Fall Gathering
The interfaith organization will hold its annual gathering online, The event will feature poetry from Albuquerque Poet Laureatte, Mary Oishi. Communities of faith and resilience will be recognized for their work to promote sustainability and protect the environment, including: NM Acequia Association; Sikh Community of ABQ, and Citizens Caring for the Future in SE NM. Please register with carlos@nm-ipl.org and note NM IPL annual meeting. Zoom link will be sent day of the event.
October 23-25, 2020
Rio Grande Food Project, Fifth Annual Hike to End Hunger
Because of the pandemic, there will not be a collective walk. But the opportunities to participate in the annual event are wide open. Hike, walk, roll, stroll, bike… solo or with your dog(s), family, and/or closest friends (in your cool 2020 Hike to End Hunger T-shirts if you so choose), take photos (you can tag us with #hiketoendhungerabq) and most importantly reduce and prevent food insecurity in Albuquerque by supporting Rio Grande Food Project's work because TOO MANY kids, adults and seniors are missing meals every month, every week...some even going DAYS without eating anything at all. Learn More
November 9, 6:30 p.m.
IHC Zoom Meeting
Topic: How Albuquerque Public Schools and other school systems provided meals to school children during the fall semester. More details to come
No comments:
Post a Comment