December 5, at 10:00 am, 3845 North Swan Street  "The Commons - Center for Food Security and Sustainability"

Dave Chandler, the Executive Director of the Commons, will talk about the mission of the organization, which is to meet the immediate needs of Grant County residents who are food insecure and strive to build community around the concepts of food justice, local self-sufficiency and sustainability.

“We are the little organization working on big issues. Originally, The Commons was called The Volunteer Center of Grant County and was formed as a 501 (C) 3 non-profit organization in 2004,” Chandler said.

He said the organization has an annual budget of $160,000; 95% from individuals and businesses and two part-time staffers.

Chandler said that food security and food justice were the goals of The Commons. Over 500,000 lbs. of food are distributed each year to 300-500 families on a monthly basis.

“Local sustainability, self sufficiency and a culture of resiliency are our goals. We help people, communities and organizations build resiliency strategies,” he added.  

Dave Chandler currently serves as the Executive Director of the Commons – Center for Food Security and Sustainability in Silver City NM. He recently served as the Director of Community Outreach and Development for Aldo Leopold Charter School and held the position of Program Director at the Wellness Coalition in Silver City and Assistant Director for Youth Services at the Volunteer Center of Southern Arizona/Youth Now Collaboration in Tucson, Arizona.

Mr. Chandler has 38 years of program and community development experience, working in a variety of faith-based organizations, public schools districts, and nonprofit groups. Mr. Chandler studied at Northern Arizona University. He represented North America on the Global Health Council's AIDS Candlelight Advisory Board. In that role he has traveled to Africa and India helping develop global HIV/AIDS advocacy initiatives. Dave lives in Silver City New Mexico in the off-grid house he and his wife Shannon built.

We will have the back door open and ceiling fans going, so please bring a jacket to stay warm. 

UUFSC Safety Protocol (pursuant to our most recent UUA Guidelines):

We will not be serving food or drinks in the building until further notice. Masks will still need to be worn in the building at all times. We will continue to serve refreshments on the patio, weather permitting. Visitors are always welcome.

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City is a diverse group of religious independents seeking knowledge, spiritual sustenance, fellowship and opportunities for service to others. Our programs encompass humanism, liberal Christianity, earth-based spirituality, Buddhism and many other traditions. If you’d like to find out more, email uufellowshipofsilvercity@gmail.com or visit our website at www.uufsc.com.