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Wildfires prompt evacuation in the Carolinas as New Jersey crews battle their own blaze; Iowa town halls find 'empty chairs'; CA groups bring generations together to work on society's biggest problems; PA works to counter Trump clean energy rollbacks.

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Lawmakers from both parties face angry constituents. Some decide to skip town halls rather than address concerned voters and Kentucky considers mandatory Medicaid work requirements.

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Cuts to Medicaid and frozen funding for broadband are both likely to have a negative impact on rural healthcare, which is already struggling. Plus, lawsuits over the mass firing of federal workers have huge implications for public lands.

NM's anti-hunger advocates make case for funding at Roundhouse

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Friday, February 21, 2025   

Antihunger advocates and relief organizations are gathering at New Mexico's State Capitol today as part of "Hunger Action Day."

Advocates will urge lawmakers to adopt a budget including $30 million over the next three years for New Mexico's five food banks.

Katy Anderson, vice president of strategy, partnerships and advocacy for Roadrunner Food Bank, said the money would help its 500 statewide partners close the meal gap.

"Many of our partners are in the basement of a church or in some kind of very small buildings and they might not have appropriate refrigeration or freezers or racks," Anderson explained. "So, some of that funding will help to support building up that infrastructure."

Every day, one in five New Mexico children face hunger or food insecurity. Anderson fears the number could rise if federal budget cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program come about. GOP lawmakers have proposed severe cuts to SNAP, Medicare, Medicaid and more.

For every one meal New Mexico's food banks are able to provide, SNAP provides nine, according to Anderson, who emphasized cuts to eligibility or benefits would be felt broadly.

"Roughly 22% to 23% of our entire population in New Mexico relies on SNAP benefits," Anderson reported. "The communities that are going to be the most hard hit are the rural communities."

New Mexico is one of eight states with a universal school meals policy, which provides free school meals to students regardless of income. As the Trump administration searches for budget cuts, Anderson worries government reimbursements for the program could also be slashed or eliminated.

"What is that going to mean from a federal perspective?" Anderson asked. "Because federal funds do come in to support that. If they shift that funding model, that could mean our state is left holding the bag to do this incredible program with a lot less federal funds."

In addition to Roadrunner, New Mexico's Food Depot, the Community Pantry in Gallup, Farmington's Echo and the Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico in Clovis provide supplemental food to the state's 33 counties. More information is online at rrfb.org/coalition.


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