The Las Cruces community has various food pantries and shelters to help those struggling with food insecurity. Two in particular that serve not only children, but all who are food insecure is Casa de Peregrinos and the Farmers Market at Mesa Middle School. Casa de Peregrinos is a food pantry that serves not only Las Cruces, but much of the Dona Anna community. Their main pantry is in Las Cruces and is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays both in the mornings and afternoons. People can come and receive groceries and in some cases referrals to other agencies. The criteria for new client’s to obtain services from Casa’s include that on their first visit they must bring a driver’s license or some form of I.D and as well proof of a physical …show more content…
Once an individual is a client of Casa’s those that are homeless and without a kitchen are allowed to receive food once a week and those with a kitchen are allowed to receive food once a month (Casa de Peregrinos, 2013). Casa’s receives its funding through a variety of sources. These sources include generous donors from Las Cruces, the city of Las Cruces, Dona Ana County, FEMA, United Way, and other foundations (Casa de Peregrinos, 2013). The organization is run by an executive director, five part time employees, and around 35 volunteers (Casa de Peregrinos, 2013). Casa’s emergency food program has three main projects. They are food security, summer food for children, and the rural initiative. One of the main populations served in all these projects is young children. The one that serves children particularly is the summer food for children project. This project allows low income families that have school aged children to obtain 3 extra food distributions per year, particularly during summer when children no longer receive breakfast and lunch from school (Casa de