CdP honors longtime member

With 25 years as a board member and board chair, George Miller was a cornerstone of the Casa de Peregrinos (CdP) community, CdP said in a recent newsletter.

Along with U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, Miller “played a key role in securing financing for constructing the present CdP building,” the nonprofit said, and in the developing CdP’s mobile food pantries and its endowment.

“Nothing could fully recognize his gifts to us,” CdP said, “but, in partial recognition of his service, CdP is naming the main lobby wall in its new headquarters the George W. Miller Community Wall.”

The wall will be the centerpiece of CdP’s new lobby in the building now under construction on west Picacho Avenue and will contain a mural “creating an inspiring visual representation of the mission and history of CdP.” It also will include plaques with donor names and a photo and biography of Miller.

To buy a plaque for yourself or family or in memory of a loved one, contact Bianca Menchaca–– at 575-259-3438.

Casa de Peregrinos survey

Speaking at the Las Cruces City Council’s April 10 work session, CdP Executive Director Lorenzo Alba said a recent survey of CdP clients showed “client-staff interactions are outstanding” and the nonprofit’s work is “impacting our clients’ lives in specific and positive ways.”

Nearly 40 percent of those responding to the survey said because of CdP, they are missing fewer meals, and more than 99 percent said they worry about food, but 89 percent said having a cart of food each month from CdP allowed them to worry less.

Alba said the survey shows “The food that CdP provides is but a fraction of what is needed.” Almost half of clients who responded to the survey said the food they get from CdP each week lasts less than a week, and many clients who receive monthly SNAP benefits use up those benefits well before the month is up.

Alba said the survey showed transportation is the biggest obstacle to people receiving CdP services, “which is reflective of both generational poverty and the dearth of public transportation in Doña Ana County.” When asked why they thought others were not coming to CdP, 39 percent said “no transportation.”

The survey was conducted Dec. 16, 2022-Jan. 11, 2023. Survey forms in both English and Spanish were distributed to clients as they waited in line to sign-in for food at CdP’s central pantry in Las Cruces, Alba said. 1,799 clients were served during that time, and 714 surveys were returned.

Contact CdP at 575-523-5542. Visit www.casadeperegrinos.org.