Scene from last May’s food drive hosted by LA Cares. Courtesy/LA Cares

LA CARES News:

USPS postal workers and local Boy Scouts are working together to support local food pantry LA Cares. 

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 Saturday, May 13.

Please put food items out in the morning by 10 a.m. 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 in 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 a volunteer non-profit, 96% of its funding goes directly to client assistance.

Cash donations to LA Cares are used for many purposes:

• To prevent an eviction or keep utilities on;
• To supplement donations to the food pantry;
• To provide a client with food for their special dietary needs; and
• For monthly purchases of fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, cereal, juice, eggs, butter, cheese and meat.

Cash donations are accepted year-round at PO Box 248, Los Alamos, NM, 87544; and at PayPal–lacaresnm@gmail.com.

Please check to see if items have passed the expiration dates before donating.

While any food items are gladly accepted, the following is a list of desired donations:

• 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
• Chicken noodle soup
• 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
• Bars of soap, deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hand lotion, feminine products
• Canned dog and cat food
• Regular Grocery sized PAPER bags

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.