El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank, the leading nonprofit organization dedicated to combating hunger in the region, has acquired 14.7 acres of land for a new food distribution and operations center in West El Paso. The new facility will make emergency food and other key services more accessible to residents of that area.
This expansion is crucial for helping the 35% of El Paso County residents dealing with food insecurity. The Texas Department of Agriculture found that parts of the westside lack support from the Emergency Food Assistance Program. Areas like Canutillo, Nuway, and Vinton are at high risk, along with regions like Westway and neighborhoods between Interstate 10 and McNutt Road down to Sunland Park.
“We have listened to the voices of our neighbors on the Westside, and we understand the importance of being closer and more accessible to meet their needs,” said Susan Goodell, CEO at El Pasoans Fighting Hunger. “This expansion shows our ongoing efforts to make a meaningful impact for our most vulnerable neighbors facing food insecurity.”
The newly acquired land will house various resources, including a warehouse for food storage, food processing and distribution, and a volunteer center. The Westside expansion is expected to be fully operational within three years.
Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, via the FY24 Community Project Funding process, has secured $800,000 for site development and construction of a Food Bank operations/distribution center on the new property.
El Pasoans Fighting Hunger relies on community support for its mission and is seeking donations to complete the new Westside project. EPFH encourages the community, local businesses, and partners to consider donating to help this vital initiative. The organization is grateful for the ongoing support that has enabled this expansion.
Susan Goodell, CEO of El Pasoans Fighting Hunger, along with Robert Moore, Board Chair of El Pasoas Fighting Hunger, will be available for interviews at the newly acquired land site.
Date: Thursday, April 25th
Time: 9 am (Shuttle Service Starts at 8:30 am)
Address: (Please see pictures for parking.)
Attire: Please wear shoes suitable for outdoor terrain that won’t get ruined by dirt or sink in, as high heels aren’t practical for this outdoor event.
Run of Show:
Welcome – Bob Moore
Remarks – Susan Goodell
Remarks and Check Presentation – Congresswoman Veronica Escobar
Signage reveal
Media pictures and interviews
Staff and Boardmember Pictures
EPFH’s property is on South Desert Blvd. between DaVita Canutillo Dialysis and Extra Space Storage. Shuttle service starts at 8:30 am from The Outlet Shoppes of El Paso parking lot. Please see the “Shuttle Service Map” picture to see where the pickup area will be.
Shuttle Service Map
Due to the area’s construction and the undeveloped land the event is on, self-parking is offered but not advised. Nevertheless, if you still want to park, you will need a vehicle with a high clearance to drive over a curb and maneuver on gravel. Please reference the Self-Parking Map.
Self Parking Map
About El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank
El Pasoans Fighting Hunger is El Paso’s only food bank and a member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief network. EPFH distributes food in El Paso, Culberson, and Hudspeth counties. Utilizing mobile distributions and client-choice pantries, EPFH serves over 177,000 food-insecure people. Here in the Borderland, 1 in every 3 people are uncertain about the source of their next meal. EPFH also offers programs such as Social Services Assistance, Home Delivery, National School Lunch Program, Street Outreach, and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.
El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank’s mission is to combat hunger in our area… because no one should go hungry.