Food donation brings story of generosity full circle

There were times during Samuel Hernandez's childhood when his parents worked long hours, made sacrifices and still struggled to put enough food on the table.

Hernandez remembers helping care for his two sisters while his parents worked. He remembers his mother's encouragement to finish his meals. And he remembers the times when his family needed assistance from others to make ends meet.

Years later, Hernandez stood before a gathering at Casa de Peregrinos in Las Cruces, this time representing an organization providing that same assistance to families facing similar circumstances.

"Sometimes even the hardest working families need help," he said. "There is dignity both in receiving help when it's needed and offering it when you can."

Hernandez, a member of the Las Cruces New Mexico Stake presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was among the speakers Thursday, Oct. 29, celebrating the delivery of 40,000 pounds of food to Casa de Peregrinos.

The shipment, enough to provide more than 30,000 meals, was part of a nationwide initiative commemorating America's 250th anniversary with something more tangible than ceremonies and celebrations.

The Church has partnered with America250 and its America Gives initiative to deliver 250 truckloads of food to food banks across all 50 states during 2026. The effort, supported by the volunteer organization JustServe, is designed to turn a historic national celebration into opportunities for service.

In Las Cruces, a semi-truck carrying canned goods, rice, beans, dry foods and other essentials arrived at Casa de Peregrinos, where missionaries from the Church joined other volunteers in welcoming the shipment. The food arrived at a time when rising grocery prices, utility costs and uncertainty surrounding federal food assistance have placed additional pressure on families throughout Southern New Mexico.

The donation represents more than a welcome addition to the organization's food inventory according to Casa de Peregrinos Executive Director Lorenzo Alba Jr. It is another chapter in a relationship that has helped feed Southern New Mexico families for years.

Alba said that throughout his 15 years with Casa de Peregrinos, members of the Church have regularly volunteered their time, contributed resources and helped the organization fulfill its mission.

"The impact that this church has had on us is tremendous," Alba said.

He described a relationship built not on occasional large donations, but on a continuing willingness to show up whenever help is needed. That commitment has become increasingly important as the demand for food assistance continues to grow.

Casa de Peregrinos, the largest food pantry in Southern New Mexico, served more than 42,000 residents and distributed more than 8 million pounds of food last year. Founded in 1979, the organization has spent 47 years helping families throughout Doña Ana County.

Alba said the Church's support has become so consistent that he expects the partnership to continue long after his own tenure ends. He described the organization's mission as a legacy that will be carried forward by future generations of staff, volunteers and community partners.

The national food initiative brings that same spirit of service to communities throughout the country, with the 250 truckloads symbolizing the 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The food comes through the Church's humanitarian network, supported by contributions from members around the world. Church representatives explained that members regularly participate in a monthly fast, traditionally going without food for two meals and donating money to help those in need. Those individual sacrifices help support a much larger humanitarian effort, connecting people who may never meet with families who need assistance.

It is a connection that extends across national borders, with contributions from Church members around the world helping support families in places such as Las Cruces.

Mayor Pro Tem John Muñoz, who attended the gathering, thanked the Church, Casa de Peregrinos and the volunteers involved in the delivery. Muñoz pointed to food insecurity among Southern New Mexico children and encouraged residents to contribute whatever they could, even if it meant purchasing an extra can of food during a grocery trip.

"No one, no family in Southern New Mexico or anywhere in the U.S. should go hungry," he said.

The gathering also recognized the contributions of local donors and volunteers, including longtime Casa de Peregrinos supporter Eric Popky. Popky said food insecurity has been an important cause to him for years, beginning before he moved to Las Cruces from South Carolina about a decade ago. He has continued that commitment through volunteer work and financial contributions to Casa de Peregrinos.

The event also highlighted JustServe, a website and mobile app that connects people interested in volunteering with service opportunities in their communities. Its representatives described opportunities ranging from food assistance to working with older adults and teaching practical skills.

The significance of the day's activities went beyond the size of the shipment or the number of meals it would provide, as highlighted by Hernandez. As he addressed those gathered, he recalled his parents' efforts to support their family and the sacrifices he did not fully appreciate until he became an adult.

Now a father himself, Hernandez said he wants his children to understand the work and sacrifice behind the food on their table and recognize their own opportunities to help others.

"Behind each box of food is a person or a family with a story," he said.

That story may involve parents working long hours, an unexpected financial setback, or possibly the challenge of stretching a paycheck far enough to provide another meal. Hernandez knows something about those stories because he once lived one.

He described the occasion as a full-circle moment in his life. Years ago, his family was sometimes among those who needed help. Now he was representing a church extending that same kindness to other families.

And as volunteers unloaded thousands of pounds of food at Casa de Peregrinos, the assistance his family once received was finding its way to another generation of families in need.