NEWSLETTER November 2020

November is the month of Thanksgiving. We want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all our supporters, stewards, and donors. Without you, we could not serve our immigrant friends and neighbors.

We want to especially thank our 40 + stewards who have been caring for the 9 Little Free Pantries in the Taos area. Without their dedicated help, the LFP would not exist.

Each pantry has a team of stewards who monitor the LFP almost daily, clean and restock with nonperishable food items that are available to those in need 24/7. The needs have expanded greatly, with the food disappearing quickly. If you are interested in food insecurity, consider buying a few extra nonperishable food items next time you shop and drop them in an LFP near you! A list of the LFP locations will be at the end of the letter. If you desire to become a regular LFP steward please let us know.

With the “Shelter in Place” again, the needs of others in Taos are overwhelming, especially for our immigrant neighbors and friends. We continue to answer urgent requests for financial assistance: rent, food, utilities, and other special needs as we can. We have been attempting to help our clients apply for NM State rent grants and Taos Feed Taos, etc. but because of their status, many cannot apply.

URGENT NEEDS :WE WERE JUST ASKED TO HELP SOME ESSENTIAL WORKERS FROM THE TAOS LIVING CENTER WHO HAVE TESTED POSITIVE. THESE ARE SINGLE MOTHERS WITH CHILDREN WHO NEED FOOD DELIVERY, PATIENT COVID EDUCATION, AND HEALTH CARE.

PLEASE CONSIDER A SPECIAL DONATION.

Your generous donations and the grants we have been awarded have allowed us to do the following:

• We have distributed over $58,000 in aid since May.

• Thanks again to our generous donors in Taos and multiple grants us to serve over 135 families.

• We helped a diverse population of people including homeless people, seniors, single parents, disabled people, and many children that are in need. With schools operating remotely, the needs have only expanded.

• 100% of all donations and grants are directly used for immigrant needs.

We also have started a small sponsorship program for families – donors can support a family at $100/month for 6-12 months to give them some security of knowing they will receive a check each month, and give them some steady help to meet some of their monthly needs. If this interests you, please contact us.

Please help us support those who cook our food, serve us in restaurants, clean our hotel rooms, our houses, and care for our elders in Taos Living Center. These essential workers are the foundation of Taos’ economy, and they also happen to be the most vulnerable. Many of our neighbors receive no government assistance and are in great need right now.

With gratitude and concern,

— Bea, Del, Jean, Susann, Wendy, Jacob, Colleen, and Jody.

LITTLE FREE PANTRY LOCATIONS

1. Rio Lucero on the riverside, across from house number 118

2. In front of First Presbyterian Church next to Kit Carson Park

3. In front of Bataan Hall on Civic Plaza Drive

4. On Mariposa, just off Kit Carson Rd, on the east side

5. Gusdorf Park next to the bench and the Little Free Library

6. Near Vigil Trailer Park entrance under Taos Net sign

7. Fred Baca Park under the tree in the parking circle

8. At the beginning of Straight Arrow Rd, next to the mailboxes & a Little Free Library

9. At the Arroyo Hondo Community Center 26 Lower Arroyo Hondo Rd

We need to be able to continue this work until Covid 19 crisis has passed and people are back to work. Please consider donating in this unprecedented time. We genuinely appreciate all of you and the incredible work we can do together.

There are several different ways you can donate to TIA:

• If you do NOT REQUIRE a tax deduction for your contribution, it is best to make the check payable to Taos United with TIA on the memo line. Send all mail to Taos Immigrant Allies P.O. Box 2287 Taos, NM 87571

• You can go to our GoFund Me page: gofundme.com/f/taos-immigrant-allies

• TIA is fiscally sponsored by the 501(c)(3) B’nai Shalom Havurah. If you require a tax-deductible donation, please send a check with TIA written on the memo line made to B’nai Shalom Havurah, 810 Dillon Lane, Taos 87571 – Please include your email so we can thank you.

Please Take a look at our website: www.taosimmigrantallies.org and like us on Facebook@Taos Immigrant Allies