WHEREAS, many schools have students that have been affected by drugs,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that each NMASC school host a Red Ribbon Week to increase drug abuse awareness.
WHEREAS, the year 2012 marks New Mexico's Centennial Celebration! Organizations throughout the state are encouraged to designate specific activities for this commiseration that will make a difference for citizens.
WHEREAS, New Mexico ranks 5th in the nation of people who wonder when they will have their next meal; more than 54% of New Mexicans choose between paying for utilities or food; and about 30,000 New Mexico Senior Citizens seek food assistance each year.
WHEREAS, 51% of food pantries in New Mexico reported turning people away due to lack of food in 2010.
WHEREAS, many believe that only New Mexicans who need help with food are the homeless, when actually only 8% of those served by food banks are homeless; 32% of the households served by food banks have at least one employed adult.
WHEREAS, mobile food pantries have been created to assist rural or underserved communities with no or limited access to food assistance programs for hungry New Mexicans.
WHEREAS, New Mexico families represent a large segment of clients at mobile food pantry sites, with children making up 43% of those served through this program.
WHEREAS, about one third of food distributed annually is fresh produce, equaling 7.3 million pounds in 2010.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Student Councils across our great state adopt working with a food bank or a food distribution site in their community. There are many ways other than the traditional "Holiday food collection" that benefit hungry New Mexicans. 2012 is the Centennial Celebration of our great state! This resolution is a two year commitment - state conference 2011 to state conference 2013 - that Student Councils will diligently generate donations to stamp out hunger in New Mexico communities through a variety of means: year-round food donations; on-line food drives; growing garden produce to donate; fundraising for a specific program; volunteering at a food bank in your community—committing a minimum of 2 hours per visit; setting up mobile pantry delivery, etc. The possibilities are endless for Student Councils in our communities to make a difference in the quality of life for many New Mexicans!
