Flamez Fusion Turns up the Heat During SNAP Crisis

As crucial federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are set to expire on November 1, a Cedar Crest restaurant is stepping up to ensure that children in its community don’t go hungry.

Tierna Unruh-Enos and her husband, Shadi Alroussan, the co-owners of Flamez Fusion, are offering one free meal per day to any child from their menu with no questions asked and no purchase required by the parents.

A Cultural and Community Commitment

Tierna Unruh-Enos explained that the initiative is deeply rooted in the couple’s personal and cultural values, particularly her husband’s Middle Eastern Jordanian background.

“One of the anchor tenants of us doing this, but especially for my husband, is that he loves feeding people,” Unruh-Enos stated. “Food is a huge part of his culture. And in the Middle East, you feed those who are less fortunate than you, both from a religious standpoint and a cultural standpoint.”

Unruh-Enos emphasized that this is not a political issue for the couple, but a simple matter of human need. “If children are hungry and we have the means to be able to help, then we should. That’s it,” she said, viewing it as a way to “pay it forward” within the community.

The only request is that the child be present to receive the meal. The owners are deliberate in their approach, insisting that families do not need to prove their need. “We’re not asking anyone to prove that they are in need,” Unruh-Enos confirmed. “We should all be in this together as a community.”

How to Get a Meal

Families can obtain a meal in three ways:

1. Dine-In: The child can dine at the restaurant.
2. Takeout: The family can call in to place an order for the child’s meal to go.
3. Order In-Person: Parents can come in and put in an order for the child’s meal to go.

The restaurant’s full menu, including the children’s menu, is available online. Flamez Fusion (located at 12118 NM-14 Cedar Crest (87008) phone number for call-in orders is 505-532-3418.

Community Focus and Kitchen Success

Unruh-Enos spoke about the profound sense of community she’s found in the East Mountains area.

“It’s nice to be part of a community where people are willing to help each other out regardless,” she reflected, “Children should not have to go hungry, period.”

Flamez Fusion is open Tuesday through Sunday starting at 11 am.

EDITOR’S NOTE: While New Mexico has come up with funds to fund the SNAP program until Nov. 10, Flamez Infusion is sticking with a Nov. 1 start because there may some people who have fallen through the cracks during the government shutdown.