SANTA FE – Today the State Aging and Long-Term Services Department [ALTSD] announced a partnership with Bernalillo County’s Department of Behavioral Health Services [DBHS] to get much-needed supplies and food to homebound seniors and disabled people. Following the spread of Coronavirus to New Mexico, the ALTSD launched a hotline for seniors, people with a disability, or their family members to call in and request assistance with groceries, supplies or meals. To date more than 32,000 people from across the state have requested resources. The ALTSD estimates there are 104,000 seniors living at or below the poverty level in the state who could benefit from supplies.

Starting Monday (3/23/2020) at 8am, the first site will be operational. The South Valley Multi-Purpose Center, located at 2008 Larrazolo RD SW will be a hub for people to drop off donations. State employees as well as volunteers will collect the drive-through donations, sanitize the supplies/ packaged, non-perishable food items, and then distribute them across Bernalillo County for individuals who are homebound and have called the hotline.

An overwhelming number of individuals have contacted ALTSD (through the email below) offering to volunteer in their region. Donate supplies, will be accepted at the South Valley Multi-Purpose Center Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

ALTSD is in the process of creating donation hubs, like this one, across the state to provide food and supplies.  

“We are literally creating an entire operation from scratch,” said ALTSD Cabinet Secretary Katrina Hotrum-Lopez. “I’m incredibly impressed by my team and the numerous volunteers across New Mexico who have stepped-up to help us launch this important program. We are working vigilantly to create hubs across the state, and while we’ve run into quite a few challenges we are not going to stop until we have a viable solution in place for New Mexicans who need our help.”

“It is really heartwarming, in the midst of this emergency, to see neighbors helping neighbors,” said Bernalillo County Commissioner Steven Michael Quezada. “We’re honored to help facilitate this donation site and assist some of the most vulnerable in our community.”

ALTSD is also working with Roadrunner Foodbank to buy supplemental supplies that can be sent to hubs across the state. Additional donation sites will be added in the coming days. The attached flyer contains information about needed supplies.

If you would like to volunteer, please email ALTSD-Volunteers@state.nm.us, Subject Line: Ready to Help, identify your city/town, and your phone number. The department will be in touch if/when volunteers are needed to mobilize a donation drop-off center.