LA Cares volunteers with groceries donated by the community for their local food pantry. Courtesy photo
Local USPS postal workers and volunteers unload food donations. Courtesy photo
BY LYN HAVAL
President
LA Cares
USPS postal workers and local Boy Scouts are working together to support LA Cares, our local food pantry. This is the time of year when residents are asked to put a bag of groceries near their mailbox to be picked up and donated to LA Cares. Postal workers, Boy Scouts and other volunteers will be circulating on the streets of Los Alamos and White Rock picking up donated items on Saturday morning, Nov. 18. Please put food items out in the morning by 10 am to make it easier for pick up. The food will be taken to a central location, sorted and prepared for storage.
LA Cares depends on the continuing generosity of individuals and organizations in Los Alamos County. Since 1 in 8 adults and 1 in 5 children suffer from food insecurity, the need is great—even here. The community is very generous in both food and cash donations, which enables LA Cares to give back to residents of Los Alamos County who are in need. Besides the monthly food distribution, LA Cares also provides rent and utility assistance to residents of Los Alamos County once per 12 months.
Since LA Cares is an entirely volunteer non-profit, 96% of LA Cares’ funding goes directly to client assistance. Cash donations are used for many purposes: to prevent an eviction or keep utilities on; to supplement donations to the food pantry; providing a client with food for their special dietary needs; and monthly purchases of fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, cereal, juice, eggs, and meat. Cash donations are accepted year-round at PO Box 248, Los Alamos, NM, 87544; and at PayPal–[email protected].
More information can be found on our website: lacaresnm.org
While any food items are gladly accepted, the following is a list of desired donations. Please check to see if items have passed the expiration dates before donating.
64 oz. plastic bottles of cranberry or grape juice
Canned beans
Canned chicken or tuna
Canned corn or green beans
Canned diced tomatoes
Canned mandarin oranges or pineapple
Canned Mexican food
Canned pasta sauce (no glass, please)
Cereal-Raisin Bran, bran flakes, cheerios, shredded wheat or corn flakes
Chef Boyardee pasta
Chunky or hearty soup
Cooking oil
Crackers, nuts & snacks
Ground coffee
Macaroni and cheese
Mayonnaise or salad dressing
Mustard or ketchup
4lb. bags of white sugar or 1-2 lb. brown sugar
Gluten-free items
Bars of soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hand lotion, feminine products
Laundry soap
Canned dog and cat food
Regular Grocery sized PAPER bags
Items NOT needed: Rice, peanut butter, canned pumpkin, ramen, cream of mushroom soup, hotel-sized items
Thank you in advance for your generosity! LA Cares is very grateful to the generous citizens of Los Alamos County!! LA Cares is an equal opportunity provider.