The Silver City Rotary Club’s challenge to the community to provide help to The Commons’ food distributions has far exceeded expectations. Originally, the Rotary Club agreed to match contributions up to $2,000 made to this project through the Silver City Rotary Foundation. But, to date, a total of $4,881.11 in contributions has been received, and the club has agreed to match that amount and any other contributions that might take the total to $5,000, but to end the matching program at that amount.

“Our thanks go out to the many generous community members who have made it possible for us to channel more money to the food pantry program than we originally thought possible,” says Peter Falley, local Rotary Foundation treasurer. “This is particularly important because we know The Commons has had a great increase in the number of people utilizing its free food distributions since the start of the pandemic,” he added.

The funds raised are being split between the Roadrunner Food Bank and local food suppliers.

Rotarians are also helping The Commons with repackaging large bags of food like beans and pasta into smaller bags for distribution and providing other hands-on help as needed. At the July 11 food distribution, Rotarians will also give out free face masks for as long as their current supply lasts.

Rotary, the world’s oldest and largest service organization, is comprised of business and professional leaders who encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and believe in building goodwill and peace in the world.  It has more than 1.2 million members in 167 countries.  Since the founding of the Silver City Club in 1923, the local club and its members have provided monetary support and volunteer workers for dozens of Silver City and Grant County civic projects as well as supporting and participating in the many humanitarian projects sponsored by Rotary International.

Individuals wishing to know more about how to be a part of Rotary should contact Leslie Bush, at mimbresrunning@yahoo.com.