Roadrunner Food Bank Strengthens Tribal Relations

At Roadrunner Food Bank, efforts to build meaningful connections with tribal communities are reaching new heights. For Ashley Griego, director of Tribal Relations at the Albuquerque based organization, establishing trust and demonstrating sustained commitment have become cornerstones of her strategy.

“To truly build relationships with tribal leaders, it’s essential to show them that a director from the food bank is personally going out into the community to visit and connect,” Griego explained.

New Mexico is home to roughly 200,000 Native Americans, many residing within the expansive Navajo Nation, a sprawling region covering approximately 27,000 square miles across three western states. Cultivating deeper ties within this community has become a key focus for Griego. Currently, Roadrunner is providing monthly food distributions to about a dozen chapter houses – local community hubs – in the Navajo Nation, directly supporting approximately 800 households. Five months earlier, these services were virtually nonexistent.

“It’s a significant leap forward compared to where we started just a few months ago,” Griego noted.

More recently, Griego has expanded her efforts beyond the Navajo Nation, reaching out to pueblos scattered throughout the state. At present, the food bank serves 19 pueblos each month, collectively supporting around 300 households. Additionally, another tribal community receives quarterly distributions benefiting about 400 households.

While Griego remains committed to expanding distribution efforts, she emphasizes there is no fixed target number of households she seeks to serve. Community interest and participation largely dictate these partnerships.

“You can’t assume every tribal community is experiencing food insecurity,” Griego cautioned. “Our goal is simply to make sure that communities know we’re here to support them if and when they need assistance.”

Initially, Griego introduced herself through cold calls, diligently reaching out to tribal communities to explain her role and Roadrunner’s mission. Now, the relationships she fostered have grown organically through word of mouth referrals. Her presence at regular distributions and her attendance at local chapter house events have further solidified these ties.

“I no longer have to make those cold calls,” Griego said, noting the evolving trust and familiarity she has built.

Social media platforms have also become valuable tools for understanding community activities and offering timely support. For instance, when a pueblo organizes a 5K benefit run, Roadrunner Food Bank may contribute bottled water, a modest gesture that can pave the way for future food distribution partnerships.

“Even a small contribution or presence at an event can lead to significant, long term relationships,” Griego observed.

Looking forward, Griego plans to collaborate with Roadrunner’s community initiatives department to carry out a comprehensive needs assessment aimed at identifying culturally appropriate foods for tribal communities. Key staples, such as mutton and flour – essential ingredients in traditional dishes like bread, fruit pies, and fry bread – feature prominently in many communities’ preferences.

“The tribes we partner with have been clear about what foods are most suitable and meaningful for their communities,” Griego explained.

Additionally, Griego hopes to grow her team, recruiting staff members directly from the communities served – some situated nearly four hours from Albuquerque. This local presence, she emphasized, greatly enhances trust and understanding.

“Showing up consistently matters immensely,” Griego concluded. “Communities deeply appreciate our sustained and genuine commitment.”