ICOH News:
The Interfaith Coalition on Homelessness (ICOH), a Los Alamos-based organization, has successfully sponsored a community-wide winter collection drive to support unhoused and at-risk neighbors in the Española Valley.
ICOH is a coalition of 14 congregations from Los Alamos County and Española and works in partnership with organizations already serving the Valley.
The winter drive, which began on Nov. 29 and continues through Sunday, March 1, mobilized local community members and congregations throughout the area.
Donors so far have contributed 81 boxes of food, toiletries, blankets, sleeping bags, and warm clothing, helping to ensure that hundreds of vulnerable neighbors — many of them unhoused — could stay warm and nourished during the winter months. ICOH has provided cardboard boxes for these donations, and 10 dedicated drivers have shared in delivering the boxes to Española each week.
Organizations receiving and distributing these contributions:
- Española Pathways Shelter;
- Inside Out Recovery Center; and
- McCurdy’s Family Resource Center food pantry.
These local service providers emphasized the impact of the community’s generosity, which supported their ability to respond quickly and compassionately to families and individuals in the community.
“The donations that you garnered for us in December literally got us through a very tough time, and I am very grateful,” said Kathy Sutherland-Bruaw, Founder and Director of the Inside Out Recovery Center.
McCurdy’s Family Resource Center Director Capriza Casias echoed these sentiments, saying “The clothing and food drive has made such a meaningful impact for those served by the McCurdy Family Resource Center by ensuring our clients have access to essentials such as warm clothing, hygiene items and food during times of need.”
ICOH extends its sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed time, resources, and compassion to support neighbors in need this winter.
Participating Congregations:
- Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church (Los Alamos);
- First United Methodist Church of Los Alamos;
- Unitarian Church of Los Alamos;
- United Church of Los Alamos;
- Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Los Alamos, both wards);
- Los Alamos Jewish Center;
- Valley View United Methodist Church (Española);
- White Rock Baptist Church; and
- White Rock Presbyterian Church.
For more information, visit the ICOH website at (https://www.icohnm.org/) or contact Tyler Taylor at tylerinnm@aol.com.