By JEANE BUTLERThe National Association of Letter Carriers and Boy Scouts of America Food Drive is Saturday, May 10. They will be collecting donated canned, boxed, and dry goods from community members.
Just bag or box donated items and place them by your mailbox the morning of May 10. Our supermarkets often have case lot sales. Cases would be so helpful in filling up our nearly empty pantry. If you miss the Food Drive you may leave donated items year-round anytime during opening hours at the Aquatic Center and Los Alamos County Social Services at 1505 15th St.
LA Cares is Los Alamos’s Food Pantry serving eligible individuals and families in the County. We serve approximately 85 families a month with our food box distribution on the second Friday of the month and the preceding Thursday night. Qualified individuals and families must call 505.661.8015 by the Sunday before the distribution in order to receive a box.
LA Cares is not just a food pantry but an assistance program also. We served 108 families with rent and utilities in 2013.
Each box we distribute contains 25-30 items.
- A sampling of the items we use most and need includes:
- Large 100 percent juice bottles,
- low sugar nutritious cereal,
- canned vegetables and fruit,
- pasta and sauces,
- tuna and other canned meats,
- hearty soups, peanut butter, rice, beans, bar soap, and
- toilet paper, shampoo, and other personal items.
Organic and nutritious items are always appreciated. In addition to the boxes, clients can “shop” for bread, bagels, desserts, fresh produce, and miscellaneous items such as sugar, flour, coffee and tea. We also have a special table for school snacks for the children of eligible clients.
Anyone interested in volunteering with LA Cares or who would like to see how we distribute food may drop by on the Thursday afternoon before the second Friday of the month’s distribution at Bethlehem Lutheran Church next to Mountain Elementary on North Road. We can use volunteers on the Thursday afternoon before distribution, the Friday morning of distribution, and for the two major food drives a year.
Cash donations are always welcomed at LA Cares, PO Box 248, Los Alamos, NM. We are a 501C non-profit and your contributions are tax-deductible. Thank you very much for your generous donations. We sincerely appreciate you helping the families in Los Alamos County who need assistance.
