FAMILY SAFETY NET
Overview of Projects for Family Safety Net
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act allocates more than $321 million to New Mexico in the form of specific programs designed to help people with everything from emergency food assistance to child immunizations.
This includes funding for programs such as Head Start, early intervention for infants and toddlers with disabilities and federally qualified health center services.
By far the largest investment in this area is in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. New Mexico's share of these Recovery dollars alone is more than $172 million. A family of four receiving the maximum benefit would see an additional $80 a month.
This means real help for families that need it the most. Further, these dollars will flow through New Mexico's economy and support grocery stores and small businesses.
FAMILY SAFETY NET PROJECT
Emergency Food Assistance Program
Funding Recipient: New Mexico Human Services Department
Award: $1,038,357
Location: Statewide
Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture
In addition to boosting the economy, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will help New Mexico families when they need it the most.
Thousands of New Mexicans rely on The Emergency Food Assistance Program, which provides nutritious food to New Mexico food banks across the state.
The increased Recovery Act funding means that nearly 600,000 pounds of extra food will be available to help New Mexicans during the current recession. This food will be distributed through the New Mexico Association of Food Banks, which include: The Roadrunner Food Bank in Albuquerque, the Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico in Clovis, the Food Depot in Santa Fe, the Salvation Army in Hobbs, Echo Food Bank in Farmington, the Community Pantry in Gallup and the Community Action Agency of Southern New Mexico Las Cruces Food Bank.
The New Mexico Human Services Department and the New Mexico Association of Food Banks have established a strong partnership to ensure that these emergency resources are distributed evenly and frequently to families in urban and rural New Mexico.
