There are more unhoused people in New Mexico than there used to be, it gets worse every year, and it’s impossible to ignore. Poverty and homelessness were central points of discussion during Governor Lujan Grisham’s State of the State address last Tuesday, and by Wednesday evening, the checkout lines at Albertson’s were abuzz with criticism of her plans to fix the problem. Let’s be real: A whole bunch of people voted for Trump because he promised cheaper groceries, but the country wasn’t exactly talking about solutions to the food crisis during his first week in office.
“Whether it’s a response to public aid being cut, the economy or prices rising, I just know that people’s dollars don’t go as far as they used to, and we’re here to fill that gap,” Roadrunner Foodbank’s event and communications coordinator Diana Sanchez says. “That gap continues to grow, so our need is as strong as ever.”
Everyone seems eager to point out the economic and social problems New Mexico is facing — including hunger — and they’re probably more than willing to help. They just don’t know how. Perhaps we should start locally.
One New Mexico organization is taking action in a fun and creative way. Roadrunner Food Bank, the largest nonprofit helping New Mexico children, families and seniors facing hunger, is hosting its annual Souper Bowl Saturday, Feb. 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 5840 Office Blvd NE.
Local restaurants will participate and compete in the fundraiser and family-friendly event by providing samples to guests and inviting participants to vote for the best chow in several People’s Choice categories including Best Soup, Best Vegetarian Soup, Best Dessert, and Best-Decorated Booth. A panel of Critics’ Choice judges selects the top three soups during a blind taste test.
“We transform our warehouse into ‘party central’ for this one day only. It’s a great way for people to come and see our facility,” Sanchez says. “People go through each of the restaurants, and they’re serving up little samples of their soups or desserts. There’s places for them to just relax, enjoy the environment and get full.”
Sanchez says they expect this year’s event to be the largest Souper Bowl yet with over 1,000 attendees. The 2025 Souper Bowl features a silent auction, live music and, of course, the best grub in New Mexico. A $50 donation gets you in the door to gulp down as many 2 oz portions of soup as you can handle. So don’t eat before you go.
Roadrunner’s specialized programs distribute food at schools, healthcare locations, low-income housing sites and more. Last year the food bank distributed more than 46 million pounds of food to hundreds of thousands of people through a statewide hunger relief network. Sanchez says, according to their numbers, one in five children in New Mexico are at risk of hunger. And because of their resources and purchasing power, each dollar donated to Roadrunner can provide up to five meals for those in need.
“Most of our funding comes from individual donors, and this is a way to bring the community together to raise additional funds by selling tickets to an event featuring local restaurants. Even the items in the central auction all come from local shops, and we have just a fun time together to support our mission,” Sanchez says.
A total of 37 local restaurants and businesses will compete for the right to boast they’ve got the baddest broth in Burque, including last year’s Souperbowl Champion and winner of the People’s Choice award for Best Soup: Shamrock Foods. Also returning this year is Fuego 505, whose white tomato soup with bacon, basil and green chile won second place overall last year. Special Touch Catering, whose cream puffs and brownie trifles, took home the award for Best Dessert will go head-to-head with Baked by Christiana — a smaller underdog entry whose raspberry bars won third place for Best Dessert in 2024. And Slate Street Billiards, who placed second in last year’s Critic’s Choice category with their green chile cheeseburger soup, is aiming for that first place slot. In addition to the entries for Best Vegetarian Soup, this year’s competition will offer at least two vegan options.
Christiana Romero is the confectionary mastermind behind Baked by Christiana and hopes to be a big contender in the Souper Bowl again this year. The bakery has been in business for two years, with locations in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. Romero says she also operates at the Rail Yards on Sundays and the Downtown Growers Market on Saturdays
“I truly didn’t even expect to win anything last year,” Romero says. “I’m excited to get back in it this year, bring some new desserts and meet more people. I think it’s nice that you get to network with other businesses. And our locals come in and try [our food], and they have questions, and they ask where you are. So it’s a good networking event all around for our customers and for local businesses as well. And it’s for a good cause.”
Romero will be entering the Souper Bowl with a variety of sweets, such as fruit-and-cheese-filled mini danishes and her brown butter pecan brittle, which she says her bakery is known for. She has partnered with Roadrunner in the past during their Thanksgiving food drive and has participated in other fundraisers for local schools and Rio Rancho charities.
‘It’s nice to be involved in the community in that way, and it’s the least that I can do. I’m appreciative of New Mexico locals,” Romero says. “And if this is my chance to give back, I would love to help.”
Local up-tempo adult contemporary band The Peacemakers will provide a soundtrack to get attendees dancing, and the event will be MC’d by radio personalities from 99.5 FM and 92.3 KRST. Some local celebrities will be judging the contest, including food bloggers Gil Garduno and Mikayla Snow, Destiny Logan Smith of Yelp Albuquerque and President and CEO of the Albuquerque West Side Business Association Melissa Sanchez. The event isn’t just for adults. In addition to spoiling their dinner for a month with all the desserts they could dream of, “Roadie” — the food bank’s mascot — will be there to hang out with the kids.
You can check out a full list of this year’s participants and last year’s winners at rrfb.org/souper-bowl/.
For tickets and event info or to donate to Roadrunner Food Bank visit give.rrfb.org/event/souper-bowl-2025/e511711/register/new/select-tickets.
Souper Bowl 2025
Saturday, Feb. 1, 11 a.m.
Roadrunner Food Bank
5840 Office Blvd. NE
$50 adults
$15 children ages 5 to 12