In August of 2012 and then again in 2013, Devon Energy donated $10,000 for the Food for Kids Backpack Program to Economic Council Helping Others (ECHO). This program is intended for elementary children at risk of going home to no food typically over a weekend or holiday. Not only did their gift provide 900 backpacks but they also volunteered their time at ECHO Food Bank to help fill the backpacks with easy-open, kid-friendly foods. We are so grateful for their participation and partnership with Devon Energy and employees. For the school year 2013-2014 ECHO and it’s volunteers distributed a total of 5,245 backpacks to the 19 elementary school pantries participating in the program and continue to seek additional children in rural areas that lack viable transportation and resources.

ECHO offers an array of programs including a preschool and child care program, Emergency Financial Assistance, a USDA Rural Development Mutual Self Help Housing Program and its full service Food Bank. ECHO helps an average of 14,000 unduplicated individuals every year and nearly 40% are children under the age of 18. ECHO also provides emergency food for families in crisis and administers two federal/state programs. The Emergency Assistance Food Program is for low income families needing general assistance and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program, of which ECHO is the only distributor of in Northwest New Mexico, is for income qualified seniors 60 and up.

For more information on ECHO Food Bank programs or other services please reach us at (505) 325-8222.