COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO

Community Foundation continues fundraising, awarding funds during COVID-19

Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico

Posted Friday, May 15, 2020 1:09 pm

Fund benefits colonias in southern part of county

Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and actors Edward James Olmos and Danny Trejo have created a fund to assist families in colonias in southern Doña Ana County severely impacted by the current public health emergency.

Partnering with the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico and the Community Action Agency of Southern New Mexico, the fund offers applicants a one-time check of $150 for individuals or households without children and $300 for individuals or households with one or more children, the Richardson Center for Global Engagement announced in a news release.

“The pandemic has only increased the economic strain facing the families of the colonias with many out of work and unable to afford groceries, gas, rent, utilities and other basic essentials,” the news release said. Many colonias lack infrastructure like paved roads and functioning sewer systems.

“The colonias have always had a special place in my heart, especially when I was governor,” Richardson said in the news release. “The impact of this pandemic on already-struggling areas, like the colonias, has been catastrophic.”

“I cherish my time working and filming in southern New Mexico and with the people of New Mexico,” Olmos said. “All of us have been impacted greatly by the spread of COVID-19, but it’s our collective responsibility to make sure that there’s a safety net for our most vulnerable families.”

“I’ve been doing what I can at home to protect and provide for those most at-risk for COVID-19 and I am honored to join with Gov. Richardson to help the people of the colonias in Southern New Mexico,” Trejo said. “Now more than ever we should reach out and support our neighbors.”

The Richardson Center donated $10,000 to jump start the fund, the news release said. Donations of any size are welcome.

To donate, visit bit.ly/SCDACemergencyfund or mail a check to Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, 2600 El Paseo Road, Las Cruces, N.M. 88001. Indicate Richardson Olmos Trejo Fund in the memo line.

To apply for assistance, call CAASNM at 575-527-8799 or visit https://caasnm.org.

By Mike Cook

The Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico (CFSNM) continues to seek donations and award funds to help local residents and organizations during the public health emergency.

Here is an update from CFSNM President and CEO Terra V. Winter.

Together Las Cruces has funded more than 1,300 individuals and families. At this time, applications have closed due to low funding. We are continuing to raise funds in hopes of covering the more than 200 applications waiting within our system. Thanks to the hundreds of donors who have given and continue to give. Our goal is to award all eligible who are in the pending applications. In total, we have awarded $392,500 thus far.
The Thank You Las Cruces Fund (supporting local restaurants and their employees and providing free meals) has raised more than $7,000. Grant recipient La Nueva Casita Café fed 125 people at the East Mesa Baptist Church and food pantry. Habaneros Fresh Mex will serve curbside to 100 people. We will be working with nominated restaurants this week to announce next week’s recipient.
We have assisted in three additional COVID-19 funds: 1) The Nonprofit Emergency Fund, which has awarded more than $100,000 to 29 nonprofits in southern New Mexico; 2) The fund established by former Gov. Bill Richardson and actors Edward James Olmos and Danny Trejo to provide cash assistance to families in the colonias area of Southern Doña Ana County; and the All Together NM Fund launched May 5. Visit www.alltogethernm.org for more information.

To donate and for more information, call CFSNM at 575-521-4794 or visit www.cfsnm.org.

Keywords

Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico, CFSNM, COVID-19, Terra V. Winter

Community Foundation continues fundraising, awarding funds during COVID-19

Keywords

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