Take a Frozen Turkey to Work Day

Image of Community Relations specialist Michelle Walker-Wade supervises turkey drop-off site — **PILED HIGH** — Community Relations specialist Michelle Walker-Wade supervises turkeys as they are dropped off near the Steve Schiff Auditorium during Sandia’s Take a Frozen Turkey to Work Day on Tuesday. (Photo by Craig Fritz)

Sandia, in partnership with Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union, hosted its annual Take a Frozen Turkey to Work Day on Tuesday to collect food and monetary donations for those less fortunate.

Image of Geosciences engineer Lauren Wheeler drops off a frozen turkey — **TURKEY DROP** — Geosciences engineer Lauren Wheeler drops off a frozen turkey at the Labs on Tuesday. (Photo by Katrina Wagner)

Turkeys were donated at Sandia by employees, and multiple Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union locations accepted turkeys from credit union members and the public.

The turkeys were transported to Roadrunner Food Bank and other local food pantries and will be distributed to people experiencing food insecurity.

Sandia’s logistics team members dropped off 260 turkeys, and about $5,000 was collected to support Roadrunner Food Bank’s work.

“Food insecurity in the state remains high, and inflation and decreased donations have greatly impacted the food bank’s operations, so the need is great this year,” said Will Tapia, corporate engagement officer from Roadrunner Food Bank.

The turkeys delivered to Roadrunner Food Bank will be distributed during its mobile food pantry next Tuesday, just in time for Thanksgiving preparations.

Image of Electrical engineer Mario Martinez drops off a turkey — **TURKEY COLLECTION** — Electrical engineer Mario Martinez drops off a turkey near the Steve Schiff Auditorium on Tuesday. (Photo by Craig Fritz)

Image of Frozen turkeys are delivered to Roadrunner Food Bank — **COOL DONATIONS** — Frozen turkeys collected from Sandia Labs and Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union are unpacked at Roadrunner Food Bank on Tuesday. (Photo by Craig Fritz)

Image of Juan Reyes, left, and Jonathan Lucero unpack frozen turkeys at Roadrunner Food Bank — **FEEDING FAMILIES** — Transportation and receiving team members Juan Reyes, left, and Jonathan Lucero unpack frozen turkeys at Roadrunner Food Bank, which has received fewer donations this year due to inflation. Donated turkeys will help feed families this holiday season. (Photo by Craig Fritz)

Hunger in New Mexico

Roadrunner Rood Bank has provided the following data on hunger in New Mexico and the great need faced in the state going into the holiday season.

One in eight New Mexicans is experiencing hunger, or about 12.9% overall, the sixth highest hunger rate in the nation.
One in five New Mexico children are experiencing hunger, or about 20.5% of all children, the second highest in the nation.
Due to COVID-19, there has been a 62% increase in need for food to tribal communities, who were heavily impacted by the pandemic.
Roadrunner Food Bank reported dramatic increases in food costs due to inflation and supply chain shortages. Prices on canned soups have increased 124%, pastas have increased 48% and canned vegetables have increased 197%.
Fuel and freight costs have doubled in the past year. Roadrunner’s fleet of trucks and refrigerated truck units run on diesel fuel. Every $1 increase in the cost of diesel per gallon costs the food bank an additional $119,000 a year to continue normal operations.

Sandia LabNews

Take a Frozen Turkey to Work Day

Hunger in New Mexico

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