Thanksgiving Volunteering in Santa Fe (Albuquerque, Rio Rancho: home, live in, mall)

[nlpwriter]

Hi there! I am a newcomer to New Mexico. I live in Taos, NM (been here for a few months) and will be by myself for Thanksgiving (family lives in Southern Cal and I am saving my pennies for a trip there at Christmas). I was wondering if anyone knows of volunteer opportunities in the Northern New Mexico area for Thanksgiving? I will be off work Wed, Thurs and Friday of that week and can travel a couple of hours (equal to the distance between Taos and Alb.).

Any info would be great! Thanks!

nlpwriter

[TiaDalma]

Hi writer, I'm checking on a couple things for you around Rio Rancho area {waiting for an Email reply back from them }. Is that too far away for you? I was wondering if you plan on staying over nite in the area you might find something to volunteer for, or drive back to Taos the same day? Could make for a long Day or two

I hope to get a reply back this afternoon from a facility, and I'll let you know.

Tia Dalma

[TiaDalma]

Hi Writer, I got a reply to my Email with only a phone number pretty much; but it was too late in the day to call, after hours. I will try tomorrow.
I've also found a place in Santa Fe, tho I'm not sure if it's what you might be looking for. I'l call them tomorrow too. That one would probably more like boxing and sacking up foods for deliveries, like a food bank sort of job.

I've looked for a facility or organization that actually cooks-up and serves a meal 'there' for Thanksgiving 'all in one'. I've not found but a rare few and those were way south in the state. {I used to help do this in Illinois every other year or so for years, it's Great!}
The Rio Rancho one is the best {north} so far.

I'll be back asap,

Tia Dalma

[Towanda]

Hi nlpwriter -- Welcome the New Mexico forum!

Here is the link for the Santa Fe Community Foundation.

You would have to dig around through the site and see what opportunities you can come up with.

OR...you can look under "Contact Us" and there is a phone number you could call to see what is available on Thanksgiving.

How wonderful that you are interested in volunteering your time on a holiday. Good luck -- and let us know how it all works out.

Towanda

[TiaDalma]

Hi Towanda, I checked that site before, not much in the way of a few days volunteering and more the food-bank boxing up things, for the delivery trucks etc.. That would be done by Thanksgiving day and doubt anyone would be working them that particular day. Some of the info was also dated back to 2005 They also list the needs for counselors etc, to help in the facilities long term type positions.

I've looked into more private facilities, wanting/needing help at a community type things {large or smaller gathering of people}, for cooking, serving, the actual meal on site; but don't want to post a bunch of info until I can confirm it with someone.

You might see or hear something on your Santa Fe Tv stations, asking for food and or volunteers for cooking and serving Thanksgiving dinner at facilities this next week. That is when the Tv stations do their stories about the need. If you could keep your ears perked up for those, that would be great

Thanks a bunch

Tia Dalma

[Towanda]

Our TV/radio comes from ABQ. Kind of frustrating at times. I know more about what's going on in ABQ than in Santa Fe!

[TiaDalma]

Originally Posted by Towanda

Our TV/radio comes from ABQ. Kind of frustrating at times. I know more about what's going on in ABQ than in Santa Fe!

I wondered about that Towanda with it being only about 60 miles away. {point to point}
But I think I've got enough info now to post for Writer.

And that includes anyone else whom might like to donate some time, or food or service, to help out; help someone, else less fortunate on/during the Thanksgiving Holiday next week, to have a Better holiday And then maybe again at Christmas too but even all through the year would be Great

I'll start another post for the information I've gathered for 'Writer' and all.

Tia Dalma

[TiaDalma]

Hi Writer and all, here are two Charities I've looked into as best I could this week As with alot of these smaller needy charities they aren't around to answer the phone- they're out doing the work It's very busy this week, the week before Thanksgiving.
{I've worked with such charities in other states over the years and will fill in some of the behind the scenes, to give the picture, if that's ok }

The need is HIGH as you might imagine, especially now.

St. Felix Pantry is affiliated with the Felician Sisters in Rio Rancho. For some time now, they have fed and helped the needy and done a Thanksgving Day Dinner. They have a McDonald's that donates the space and kitchen to bring people in to their facility to have them enjoy a Cooked Turkey dinner. The McDonald's actually closes down to be able to do this.
There they can roast the turkeys given through donations, and mash potatoes etc. Donation of salads, vegetables, pies, desserts, all food donations made or to cook.

I talked only with one of the Nuns at the main facility, as the hours for St. Felix Pantry are short and the phone is Very busy right now I could not get through there, the times I tried. Their hours are: 9am to 12noon. monday-friday.

The woman to contact at St. Felix Pantry- Geri -phone is 505-891-8075 {no answer machine}
St. Felix Pantry itself is at 4020 Barbara SE Loop, Rio Rancho, NM 87124

The McDonald's where this T-day dinner will take place is the one on Peggy Road off Hwy. 528.
The actual dinner time on Nov. 27th 2008 is 10am to 3pm.

The Pantry has no website or anything

The woman Geri has a Schedule she's working off of for this Dinner. Which would have the needs/categories of needs to fill on it.

This sort of thing might need cooks, servers, dish-washers, clean up- during and after. It's usually pretty easy to do, paper plates and such, watching the turkeys cook Making potatoes and dressings,etc. Putting donated foods in the coolers or warmers.

I'd read about St.Felix Pantry on the net- a newspaper story somewhere This story said they last fed Thanksgiving dinner to 800 needy.

When I would donate foods, I made pies {when I made my own Thanksgiving pies} I'd make 20 extras and I'd make 20 Foil turkey roasting pans full, of any kind of sweet marshmallow salad with like cherries or cranberry {pie filling or can jellied cranberry} and cool whip and such. You get the idea

{we'd feed 1000+, now nearing 2000, back home in Illinois- you can search the term "Mr. Thanksgiving", this will be their 38th year.} I would deliver {after a fairly long drive }, the foods and then help cut pies and put it on plates or dish up foods, and then walk it out and give it to folks at the tables. We did our's in a Mall food court- closed for Thanksgiving and the McDonalds donated the rest We SERVED Them....that was the whole Idea, to give them a happy fulfilling day. We had entertainment on the food court stage etc.
Some folks volunteered- drove and picked up and took home the dinner guest- that's a way to volunteer too if you know the streets Some come by bus or vans.
All you have to do is Be Joyful, smile and chat, get drinks, a napkin, a fork, when asked etc.
Lonely, alone, the sad, the hungry, the disabled All were welcomed. {and Yeah, even "the cranky" LOL}

It was worth the distance to drive in and do this every other year or so }

Now I know this was on a bit larger scale than maybe St. Felix Pantry' Dinner and day but give it a Try, Please
You'll feel great....and they Love it!

Please call Geri and ask what she might need, OR stop by St. Felix Pantry if the phone is busy Ask them: What can *I* do to Help.
{This is a more private Charity, not State run/assisted etc.

Maybe they get Pies etc. donated etc...I'm not sure due to not being able to get hold of her personally.
Sister at the main office said, Yes! They could use the Help! She could not be specific- said talk with Geri.
OK!

I can offer the Felician Sisters website only: www.southwestfeliciansisters.org


Santa Fe facility:
Now for the little bit on the one place I think 'might' fit the/part of the bill in: Santa Fe:
Bienvenidos Outreach/Joyful Charity
They do have a website and I think they might get some foods from the Food banks there. Maybe some state help, Not positive.
I called and left a message for more information and needs, have not heard back yet

I could not see that they are doing an actual Thanksgiving Day dinner at one place but they Do a dinner/lunch on Sundays. Perhaps Thanksgiving will be their Sunday next week? Don't know.
I think they sound like a nice pretty well run place and cover alot of needs. Clothes too, etc.

The website is: www.joyfulcharity.org
The Phone is: 505-986-0583
Location: 1511 5th Street, Santa Fe, NM. 87502
Mailing address: P.O. Box 5873, Santa Fe, NM. 87502

I'm sorry I can't describe more for this one. I hope they will call me back.
I hope perhaps More folks might do something over the Holidays Season, begining with next week to help these Charties out in some small way.
A little goes a long way for such

I feel these are Legit and worthy!

"Writer", for what you described in your post, that you'd like to be able to do with your time for Thanksgiving this year; I hope you might go the extra 50 miles or so and pitch in at St. Felix Pantry LOL
But that is up to you. Just Enjoy it!

I hope this might get ya'll in the Holiday Spirit early Where-ever you are
I DO wish more communities did this sort of Event, it's simply the Best, imho. This was hard to find in NM

Sorry it's a long post! {well, more than normal perhaps }


Tia Dalma
PS Writer, I think there IS one place right in Taos that might do the sort of thing such as St. Felix Pantry too, but realize you might want to get out of Taos for a bit of a change too

[TiaDalma]

Well Writer, I found one that will be most happy to have help actually On Thanksgiving day!
The Salvation Army facility on 525 W. Alameda St., Santa Fe.
{coming in from Taos, second street light, turn left, go 4 blocks, they are on the left side of the street}.

Martha the asst. supervisor said they'd be glad for help. Starting at any time after 8am, you can go in and help prepare for the meal they will serve 11am-1pm.
Phone # is: 505-988-8054

ALL the other facilities are doing the bagging and boxing up of food for the needy to come pick up themselves Before- Thanksgivng day, it will all be finished by Thanksgiving . So these will be essentialy closed on that specific day

I was told by quite a few places that Santa Fe is Very giving and the community really comes 'out' for the needy facilities, and that very little extra help is needed. They've got plenty, is what I was told

The Food Depot {food bank} is pretty well stocked and food will be going out through Christmas.

I think this is Fantastic for a community to be able to say about themselves

Well done Santa Fe!

{I will post a seperate thread later for the help that Bienvenidos Outreach said they needed for Christmas, and St. Felix Pantry could use help till then as well in Albuquerque.}


Tia Dalma

[nlpwriter]

TiaDalma, Towand and all-

Thanks so much for all the help in research for volunteering on Thanksgiving Day! It is really appreciated and I am really looking forward to doing it. I will contact these folks and figure out what is the best option.

Thanks again and for your stories as well, TiaDalma. Sounds like you have been helping out a lot during the years.

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!

nlpwriter