SENATE MEMORIAL 65

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2018

INTRODUCED BY

Mimi Stewart

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING FEBRUARY 6, 2018 "END HUNGER IN NEW MEXICO DAY" IN THE SENATE.

     WHEREAS, nationwide, New Mexico has one of the highest rates of overall food insecurity of all residents, including children, veterans, the homeless and seniors; and

     WHEREAS, annual feeding America statistics rank New Mexico as one of the most food-insecure states for children in the nation; and

     WHEREAS, nearly seventy thousand New Mexicans seek food assistance each week; and

     WHEREAS, eighty-nine percent of hungry households have an annual income of less than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000); and

     WHEREAS, sixty-one percent of households choose between paying for utilities or buying food; and

     WHEREAS, seventy-five percent of households report purchasing inexpensive, unhealthy food as the most common way to have at least some food at home to eat; and

     WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to address New Mexico's food insecurity and to eliminate hunger in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, nonperishable food items will be collected on February 6, 2018 at the state capitol to benefit the food depot;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 6, 2018 be declared "End Hunger in New Mexico Day" in the senate; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of human services and the executive director of the food depot.

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