A semi-truck carrying 40,000 pounds of canned goods, rice, beans and other staples arrived at Casa de Peregrinos in Las Cruces on Thursday, Oct. 29.

The delivery from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was enough to provide more than 30,000 meals, first reported by the Las Cruces Bulletin. The food arrived as rising grocery prices and uncertainty around federal food assistance have squeezed families across Southern New Mexico, the Bulletin reported.

The shipment was part of a nationwide initiative tied to America's 250th anniversary. The Church has partnered with America250, a nonpartisan congressional commission, and its America Gives initiative to deliver 250 truckloads of food to food banks in all 50 states during 2026. Each truck carries approximately 40,000 pounds of supplies, most of them produced by the Church and funded by member donations, according to the Church's newsroom.

By mid-June, the Church had completed deliveries to all 50 states, with half of the planned 250 truckloads already distributed, according to a separate Church announcement.

Samuel Hernandez, a member of the Las Cruces New Mexico Stake presidency, spoke at the gathering. He grew up in a household where his parents worked long hours and still struggled to feed the family. He described the occasion as a full-circle moment: years ago, his family needed assistance, and now he was representing a church extending that help to others.

"Behind each box of food is a person or a family with a story," Hernandez said, according to the Bulletin.

Lorenzo Alba Jr., executive director of Casa de Peregrinos, said Church members have regularly volunteered and contributed resources throughout his 15 years with the organization.

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

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, according to the Bulletin. Founded in 1979, the organization has spent 47 years helping families throughout Doña Ana County.