Fans Against Hunger: United, UNM team up to battle food insecurity

Two passionate New Mexico sports fan bases are teaming up to help tackle one of the state’s biggest problems: food insecurity.

New Mexico United and the University of New Mexico athletic department on Wednesday announced Fans Against Hunger, a collaborative effort to help curb food insecurity in the state.

UNM athletic director Fernando Lovo and United president Ron Patel spoke about the initiative at a media conference outside University Stadium. Both organizations will designate Fans Against Hunger games to collect non-perishable food and other supplies for delivery to food banks around the state.

“This is an opportunity for sports to serve something bigger,” Lovo said. “No family should have to face hunger and Fans Against Hunger is dedicated to fighting food insecurity in our state. At the end of the day, Lobo athletics and New Mexico United have the same purpose, to serve New Mexico.”

David Wiese-Carl, United’s vice president for media and impact, said neither New Mexico United nor UNM came up with the Fans Against Hunger collaboration. The suggestion came from Enrique Morales, a fan and executive assistant/project manager for a local law firm.

Morales, who called himself an “adopted New Mexican,” said he’s seen similar programs succeed in other places.

“It’s not a novel idea and it’s not mine,” Morales said. “It’s just something that hit home for me and really just makes sense. New Mexico United and UNM’s teams impact the whole state. Games are a great opportunity to lessen the burden of food insecurity.”

Wiese-Carl agreed.

“This is something that’s done successfully by soccer teams around the world,” he said. “We’re just putting a New Mexican twist on it.”

Donations will be accepted at pregame tailgates, beginning at Saturday’s New Mexico United home match against North Carolina FC. United will host four Fans Against Hunger matches this season. UNM will hold collections at baseball/softball games this spring and at fall sporting events including football and basketball, Lovo said.

United and UNM will partner with 1-800-GOT-JUNK, which will bring trucks to designated tailgates to collect items for distribution. Fans who participate in donation drives will be entered to win United and Lobo prizes and experiences at upcoming events.

“Knowing that one in five children in New Mexico doesn’t know where their next meal is coming from hits me in the heart,” Patel said. “Coming together with UNM can show the power our organizations and our fans have to make a positive impact.”

For more information about the Fans Against Hunger initiative, visit https://www.newmexicoutd.com/fans-against-hunger/ or https://www.golobos.com/fans-against-hunger.