Iris Nolasco, director of the Commons Center for Food Security and Sustainability, will speak to the Rotary Club at the Hearth on Tuesday May 27 at noon. She will discuss food programs delivered by the Commons, as well as current issues in the food supply chain.

The mission of the Commons 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. The Commons staff and dedicated community volunteers organize and support Grant County Food Pantry programs in Silver City, Santa Clara, and Cliff, including emergency food box delivery. Its Alimento Para Los Niños weekend backpack program provides food for kids who don't get enough to eat on the weekends. 

The Commons Rooted Youth Programs provide jobs and training to kids aged 11 and up through enrichment programs, internships, and the NM Youth Conservation Corps.

Iris Nolasco is a versatile professional with expertise in Food Systems, Nonprofit Management, and Community Development. Her involvement in these areas spans over 20 years, including work in food service, providing technical assistance to marginalized farmers, and completing national service through both AmeriCorps and Peace Corps.

The Rotary Club will meet at the Hearth at 1915 Swan Street. There is a brief "meet and greet", a short business meeting and then the speaker has the floor. The club welcomes members of the public to the meetings. The lunch format is BYO. 

Rotary is an organization of business and professional persons united worldwide to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Since its founding in 1923, the Silver City Rotary Club has provided support and service to numerous non-profit organizations and civic causes in Silver City and Grant County as well as supporting and participating in humanitarian projects sponsored by Rotary International.