About Us
Despite the beliefs of many people, poverty
does exist on the West Mesa and throughout the rural areas of New
Mexico. Storehouse West was created to help alleviate
that poverty in Sandoval County.
On March 19, 1992, an incorporating Board of
Directors signed papers to establish Storehouse West as
a non-profit corporation to provide assistance to residents of Rio
Rancho and surrounding communities. Storehouse West,
which opened in May of 1992, is a member of the Rio Rancho Chamber of
Commerce.
Through the collective support of civic,
religious and service organizations, supportive residents and
businesses and the school children, Storehouse West is provided
with non-perishable food. With the Emergency Food & Shelter Program
(EFSP) funds, dairy products, meats and other fresh food can be
purchased to add to the canned and boxed foods. Monetary donations may
be sent to Storehouse West, 1030-F Veranda Drive SE, Rio
Rancho, NM 87124.
Reasons for needing to
seek assistance are many
The husband/father moves out,
leaving the family with little or nothing; loss of jobs; single
parents (mainly female) often with two or more children; low-income
Senior Citizens and people with Disabilities; those going on Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Food Stamps that have not yet
begun — all of these and others are reasons for people seeking help.
Program
Individuals and families using
Storehouse West are referred by Human Services and other state
and county agencies, and by churches, schools, and neighbors.
Storehouse West can supply a week’s groceries and minimal
personal items to families, Senior Citizens and those with
Disabilities.
In 2004, we fed over 6,900 people 145,000
meals. Non-perishable items are donated by churches, service
organizations, schools and residents who bring food to us and also
donate to the Letter Carriers Food Drive twice a year. Food boxes
contain non-perishables for a week’s meals; the number of items depend
upon the number and age of the children. With funding from the FEMA
Emergency Food & Shelter Program, we are able to supply clients’ food
boxes with milk, eggs, margarine, bread, frozen juice, hamburger and
chickens. Donated produce and baked items from local supermarkets
complete the food box. Personal hygiene items are included when
available.
The volunteers who work with the food program
sort, shelve and pack donations. They repack pinto beans, rice, sugar,
flour, pasta, and coffee from large containers into smaller ones. They
sort produce, and make up bags for clients. They do many tasks
necessary to keep Storehouse West running smoothly.
Many low-income Seniors go without food in order to pay their housing
or prescription bills. Many of them are housebound and volunteers
deliver The Emergency Food Assistance Program packages of commodities
to them each month, together with personal cleaning and hygiene items.
Those Seniors number more than 175 and are as far away as Pena Blanca,
Sile, Jemez Springs, Ponderosa and San Ysidro. Storehouse West
recently received a grant from PNM for $5,000 enabling more food to be
added to these deliveries, and $1,000 from Presbyterian Healthcare
Foundation for personal items such as soap, toothpaste and tissues.
The Kids Clothes Closet, begun
in 1994, distributes gently-used clothing plus new underwear and socks
for those from birth through middle school. Children come by
appointment to be outfitted as many as four times per year (as seasons
change). We handle referrals from schools and outfit those children
immediately. The donations come from schools, churches, and residents.
Dress Code School clothing for Rio Rancho and
Bernalillo Schools has been of primary concern. There are high school
students dropping out due to their lack of proper clothes, and
elementary and middle school students with inadequate clothing causing
varying psychological problems and affecting their school work and
attendance.
The volunteer staff assists the children with
finding proper sizes that the child may try on before taking the item.
Donations to purchase new shoes are very welcome.
During the holidays, with the help of businesses, churches, and
service organizations, more than 60 families receive food boxes and
gifts for the family. Many are adopted by churches, organizations, and
residents who purchase toys and gifts to fulfill the needs and desires
of the members of those families. The most difficult aspect is
coordinating with other agencies and the schools in Sandoval County.
For the last eight years, we have received
EFSP funding to help pay rent/mortgage/utility bills for those in
emergency situations in Sandoval County. We also administer funds from
the City of Rio Rancho to assist with paying Waste Management bills
and administer the Good Neighbor Fund for Sandoval County. The utility
fund from the Rio Rancho Presbyterian Church is administered here
also.
Operating expenses for the agency are covered
by donations from individuals, churches, service organizations,
businesses, a 2005 General Mills grant for $10,000, and various other
donations. Over the past four years, funding from the Mayor’s Ball has
purchased a van for picking up food drives and delivering to our
Seniors, several freezers and refrigerators, a folding machine, food,
clothing for children, and other needed items.
1030-F Veranda Dr.
SE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
505-892-2077
505-892-2191 (FAX)
Hours of Operation
Monday 9:00am - 2:00pm
Wednesday 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Friday 9:00am - 2:00pm
CFC #7080
For further
information, and to offer ways you and your organization can help,
contact Carol Nesbitt, Executive Director, Storehouse WEST
(clients/prospective clients must call 505-892-2077 to contact us)