East Mountains Rally: Community Steps Up as Food Pantry Faces Record Demand

TIJERAS – In the face of a daunting spike in food insecurity, the East Mountains community is proving that tough times bring out the best in its residents. As the East Mountain Food Pantry braces to serve a record-breaking 1,000 families this November, an “army” of neighbors, students, and local businesses has mobilized to ensure no shelf stays empty.

The need is undeniable. Driven by recent SNAP cuts and federal instability, the pantry has seen daily arrivals of up to 10 new families—people who have never had to ask for help before. But according to Pantry Board President Amy Rome, the story isn’t just about the crisis; it’s about the overwhelming response from the community.

An All-Volunteer Army

Unlike most organizations of its size, the East Mountain Food Pantry operates with absolutely no paid staff. Instead, it relies on a dedicated force of 140 volunteers who keep the facility running six days a week.

“We are a completely volunteer-led organization,” Rome said. “We have the most amazing volunteers. If we’re crazy busy and things are hard, nobody complains. They feel really driven by the mission.”

For many, the pantry has become a second home. Rome noted that for “transplants” who moved to the East Mountains from other states, volunteering has become a vital way to find connection and purpose.

Schools and Businesses Join the Fight

The spirit of giving extends far beyond the pantry’s walls. Local schools have turned into critical supply lines. Rome highlighted South Mountain Elementary, which regularly donates milk that would otherwise go to waste in their lunchroom. Meanwhile, a recent “Superhero Food Drive” at San Antonito Elementary saw students collect an astounding 10,000 food items, proving that the region’s youngest residents are just as committed to their neighbors as the adults.

Local businesses are equally involved in what Rome calls “food rescue.” A dedicated team of drivers starts their engines early every morning, fanning out to local partners like Triangle Grocery in Cedar Crest, Sprouts, Walmart and Costco. They return with meat, produce, and frozen goods that would have been discarded, turning potential waste into lifelines for local families.

“We Don’t Turn Anybody Away”

This web of community support allows the pantry to maintain a policy of dignity and open arms. Rome emphasized that the intake process is designed to be “painless,” stripping away the shame often associated with food insecurity.

“We don’t want to interrogate people,” Rome explained. “If they don’t qualify for SNAP but they need help… we don’t turn anybody away.”

In the packing area, where volunteers work shoulder-to-shoulder due to limited space, the focus remains on personal connection. Volunteers chat with clients in the parking lot, asking about dietary needs—”Do you eat salmon? Do you need flour?”—to give them as much choice and agency as possible.

A Community United

As the holidays approach and demand continues to rise, the pantry stands as a testament to the East Mountains’ resilience. It is a place where people like a real estate agent from Chicago, a retired local, and a student from the elementary school down the road are all working toward the same goal: feeding their neighbors.

“I love being here, and I want to be involved in my community,” Rome said, summing up the sentiment that seems to drive the entire operation.

How You Can Help

The East Mountain Food Pantry accepts walk-in donations during all distribution hours (Monday through Thursday and Saturday). They are currently in specific need of:

• Meat and protein sources
• Non-perishable staples (flour, sugar)
• Volunteers for various roles (drivers, stockers, admin support)
• Location 1342 NM-333, Tijeras, NM 87059
• Phone Number (505) 407-1078