June 2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS David Akerson Chairman Deacon Steve Rangel President/CEO Sr. Elaine Frigo Executive Secretary James Montoya Treasurer Mary Lynn Owen Senior Ministry Adviser Sr. Dorothy Young Board Member and Recording Secretary Chris Castillo Board Member Jerry Schalow Board Member John R. Schumann Board Member STAFF Deacon Steve Rangel President/CEO Manuel Casias Vice President of Development Marlene Chaires Business Manager Mauro Torrez-Ginez Pantry Manager St. Felix Pantry Inc. Call us at 505-891-8075 or visit our website at www.stfelixpantry.org Food insecurity When schools close for the summer, many kids are at risk of going hungry Across New Mexico, school terms are ending for the summer break. While most students are looking forward to the vacation, some parents are already worrying about how to feed their children without meals provided through schools. This challenge is not uncommon for St. Felix Pantry. In fact, we already assist two schools in Rio Rancho by providing healthy food options that children will take home just to have something to eat on the weekends. Summer vacations are the busiest time of year for most food pantries. Sometimes, we struggle to fill the gap for children who are not getting regular meals through federally funded school lunch programs and other services. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, about 21.4 million children receive free or reduced-price lunches at school on a typical school day. Some of the nation s neediest kids also receive breakfast, snacks, dinner and even backpacks of weekend food through school and after-school programs. Experts say that when kids don t have regular, nutritious meals, they learn more slowly and have more behavioral problems. They also can develop unhealthy habits, such Continued on Page 2 Our Core Values: Respect for Human Dignity, Compassion, Transformation, Solidarity with the Poor, Justice and Peace A Felician-Sponsored Ministry
St. Felix Pantry s Grocery Bag Page 2 Message from the President/CEO It seems that we just woke up and it was summer again, although winter did remind us in May that it wasn t over yet and gave us some cold days with rain and snow before it would leave. But we here in New Mexico never complain about getting any type of moisture, whether it is rain or snow. You can look around and see signs of summer, such as the plants and trees coming alive with leaves and flowers. Summer reminds me of a butterfly that, after a while in its cocoon, breaks through and comes out with a bouquet of colors and is full of life, ready to fly into the sky sharing its beauty with everyone it comes in contact with. To me it is similar to how people react to summer. It seems as though we are in our cocoons during the winter months, covered up and spending a lot of time in our cars and homes protected from the cold. But as the weather ges warmer and shows signs of spring and summer, things start to change. You start seeing people coming out of their cars and houses walking, jogging and riding their bikes, full of energy. Deacon Steve Rangel Their dress is also changed from jackets and coats to brightly-colored short-sleeve shirts and shorts, like butterflies coming out of their cocoons. We are truly blessed to live in New Mexico with our clear skies and mild weather and the natural beauty all around us. Yet the beauty that nature provides is no match for the beauty of another person. So don t let an opportunity go by without seeing the beauty of another person and sharing your gifts with them. St. Felix Pantry is blessed with all the beauty our guests provide us when they come to the Pantry. Summer food insecurity County there are 7,350 foodinsecure children. as binge eating, which puts Please consider donating them at risk for obesity and food this summer, especially diabetes. for kids. Nationwide, the state of To learn how you can New Mexico remains No. 2 in help, please contact Manuel at childhood hunger. In Sandoval mcasias@stfelixpantry.org. Continued from Page 1 Daily Menu Macaroni & cheese Peanut butter and jelly Fresh fruit and vegetables Breakfast cereal This newsletter is sponsored by: Trail mix Breakfast bars Cheese sticks Crackers
June 2017 Page 3 Thank you to the sponsors of our 7th Annual Golf Tournament CALENDAR OF EVENTS June 18, 2017 A Fathers Day blessing to all Dads! Oct. 22, 2017 International Festival at St.Pius High School. Information: Contact Manuel at 505270-1366 or via email: mcasias@stfelixpantry.org. Nov. 23, 2017 Annual Thanksgiving dinner at the McDonald s restaurant on Pat D Arco High- way at Peggy Road SE. Information: Contact Manuel at 505-270-1366 or via email: mcasias@stfelix pantry.org. Although the weather was very cold on the morning of the 7th annual St. Felix Golf Tournament, it did not take long for everyone to warm up as the sun came out. See more photos and additional list of in-kind sponsors on Page 6. This newsletter is sponsored by: My goal is to help you get a home to suit your needs, whether it s your first home, a downsized home, a home to accommodate a growing family or a property to help you achieve your LEGACY financial goals through real estate Patria Havelka, Realtor investment. If you are relocating 500 Unser Blvd. SE out of New Mexico, I can assist by selling Rio Rancho, NM 87124 your current house at the top dollar value (505) 306-5965 Direct (505) 892-1000 Office and accommodating you within our Patria.havelka@coldwellbankerlegacy.com nationwide network of realtors.
Page 4 St. Felix Pantry s Grocery Bag Food for thought Feeding Our Neighbors shares batch of burritos Since 1992 when St. Felix Pantry was founded, focus on feeding our neighbors has been at its center. Our work is driven by an incredible set of core values, including Solidarity with the Poor. When we were approached by a Catholic parish just a few miles away to help them assemble and distribute 350 breakfast burritos to Albuquerque s homeless population who gather at St. Martin s Hospitality Center, we did not hesitate. We fired up the Pantry s commercial kitchen to get it done with hardly a flaw. Feeding Our Neighbors is what we do at St. Felix Pantry. Partnering with folks at Holy Rosary Catholic Parish in Albuquerque helps us extend the arms of St. Felix s care for the hungry beyond our Pantry walls. It is not so much a campaign as it is a simple response to the needs of the most vulnerable who surround the Pantry. One response from a recipient of the burritos stated that the burritos were fabulous. Organizational participants in Feeding Our Neighbors this past Sunday included St. Felix Pantry staff and many volunteers from Holy Rosary Catholic parish in Albuquerque. The Felix Burrito Recipe 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Large tortilla 1 large egg ½ large potato 2 ounces of green chili 3 ounces of ham 1 lb of love 2 lbs of compassion 3 lbs of hope Mix carefully, serve joyfully! The Pantry provides food to more than 1,000 families and individuals each week There is no charge for food or clothing at St. Felix Pantry New Mexico is ranked #2 in childhood hunger nationwide 18.6% of New Mexicans don t know where their next meal will come from 13 in kids in New Mexico is hungry 3831 Singer Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 505-341-4900 SandiaOfficeSupply.com
June 2017 Page 5 Pantry s compassion aids grieving Native American family Among Native Americans it is the custom to feed the visitors who come to their homes after a funeral. The visitors assemble to show respect for the deceased person as well as for the family members who are mourning the loss. It is also the Native Americans belief that not feeding a visitor is considered an insult to both the deceased person and to the visitor. Two grieving sisters from a nearby pueblo recently approached St. Felix Pantry with a request after hearing about its mission and services from other members Pantry, their older sister passed away sudof their community. denly. They were not prepared for all the Just a week before their visit to the expenses of a funeral and became desper- ate to find help. Knowing that soon they would have many visitors come to their home, they also knew they could not possibly provide enough food for everyone they were expecting. The sisters inquiry at the Pantry was simple: Could the Pantry help them gather enough food to live up to the custom of feeding the visitors who would come to their home to pay respects? In this situation, St. Felix Pantry was able to restore hope to the women by providing food and compassion, which is in keeping with the core values established by the Pantry s founder., Sr. Genevieve. How you can help Organize a food drive St. Felix Pantry distributes nearly 2 million pounds of food every year, thereby providing 62,400 boxes of food to New Mexicans in need. Give a donation Lend a hand Your tax-deductible financial gifts help make our mission possible. Eighty-eight cents of every dollar donated to the Pantry goes to feed the hungry. See the donation form on page 6 of this newsletter. The Pantry offers a variety of individual volunteer opportunities. We also can accommodate groups of up to 20 volunteers. This newsletter is sponsored by: Felician Sisters of North America & Felician Services Inc.
St. Felix Pantry s Grocery Bag Page 6 St. Felix Pantry Wish List St. Felix Pantry Golf Tournament 2017 Currently Needed Items: New or lightly used fireproof file cabinet Outdoor donation collection bin 2 storage sheds 10-by-20-foot or larger Donations needed: For Pantry utility bills For fuel for delivery trucks Capital items needed: New delivery truck Parking lot repaved and striped Exterior of building repainted Covered portal to protect clients from rain and sun New signage for the Pantry Food and supplies: (Please, no cans/boxes of food that are a year beyond sell by or use by date, because of health/food safety liability) Fresh fruits and vegetables Macaroni & cheese mixes Canned foods, such as vegetables, beans, stews, soups, tuna, chicken and ham Turkeys and hams for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays Jellies, jams and peanut butter Cereals, rice, pasta, dried beans Pies, cakes, pudding cups and other dessert items Children-friendly food (granola bars, crackers, cookies and candies) Toys for children and youths Dog food, cat food and pet treats Baby products (diapers, moist wipes, formula, infant foods, lotions and powders) Andrew Melendrez, chairman of the board of the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce, came within inches of winning the hole-in-one contest. This year s prize was a Mini Cooper Team Chaires wondering where the from Sandia Automotive Corp. ball went. Thanks to the following for all your in-kind donations, helping to make our 7th annual golf tournament a huge success! Truly Nolen Las Ristras of Corrales Sweet Tomatoes Kaktus Brewing Company Stack House BBQ JRs Ranch House Jinja Bar and Bistro Albuquerque Country Club Pizza Nine ESPN Harris Jewelers Belmont Barber Shop Village Inn Dion s Pizza Santa Ana Golf Club Rudy s BBQ CONTRIBUTION OPTIONS Mail this form: St. Felix Pantry, 4020 Barbara Loop, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 Electronic: Donate via PayPal at www.stfelixpantry.org Bequest: Email to Manuel at mcasias@stfelixpantry.org or call 505-270-1366 I will contribute $ (Circle one: weekly, biweekly, monthly) until / / I will make a one-time contribution of Please print: Name Date Address E-mail Phone
May 2017 Sponsor this newsletter Ad space available 2 col. x 2 in. $150 2 col. x 5 in. $400 4 col. x 2 in. $300 Page 7 For information on placing an advertisement, please call Manuel at 505-270-1366 or via email at mcasias@stfelixpantry.org This newsletter is printed by: This newsletter is sponsored by:
St. Felix Pantry Inc. 4020 Barbara Loop SE Rio Rancho, NM 87124-1023 BULK MAIL STAMP To: