End Hunger Day in New Mexico (February 6) Back on Track

Earlier this month, the State of New Mexico rescinded its contract with the Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging, effective on February 1. The management entity, which has provided a variety of services for about 70,000 New Mexicans over the past 30 years, was also one of the parties in charge of organizing the annual End Hunger Summit in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, in partnership with other organizations. The Interfaith Hunger Coalition was honored to deliver a keynote address at the most recent summit in October 2017.

This year, the NMAAA had also planned an End Hunger in New Mexico Day at the State Legislature on Tuesday, February 6. With the agency no longer in operation, this event--which would have highlight the issue of hunger in our state to the New Mexico State Legislature--was in jeopardy.

Fortunately, the New Mexico Association of Food Banks and others have come to the rescue, and the End Hunger in New Mexico Day is back on track!

In the meantime, two state legislators have taken legal action questioning the manner in which the contract was rescinded. If the issue is resolved in favor of the NMAAA, the Fifth End Hunger Summit scheduled for September 2018 might still be held. But for now, thanks to the NMAFB and others, the End Hunger in New Mexico Day at the State Legislature is back on track. Among other things, the event will feature exhibits and short statements from organizations involved in anti-hunger efforts in the state. A memorial will be read on the floor declaring February 6 as End Hunger Day in New Mexico.