Local mother, caregiver seeks help after move

Asingle mother of two in Santa Fe says she recently moved and had to throw out a lot of belongings from her last house because of bed bugs.

She says the move also sapped her cash.

She describes the car she bought in August as “a little fix me upper.” She says the car, which helps her in her role as caregiver for her mother and an aunt, needs new tires and an oil change.

With Christmas approaching, the woman is worried about providing a decent holiday for her son and daughter.

She is among hundreds of community members seeking help from the Empty Stocking Fund this season.

The Empty Stocking Fund is a project of the Santa Fe New Mexican. The Santa Fe Community Foundation, Los Alamos National Bank, the Salvation Army, Presbyterian Medical Services, the Life Link, Habitat for Humanity and the Housing Trust donate services to jointly administer the Empty Stocking Fund.

The newspaper is publishing stories featuring requests for assistance from local residents.

The information from the initial application will be verified if the applicant is selected for assistance.

To donate: Make your taxdeductible donation online at www.santafenewmexican.com/ empty_stocking or mail a check to The New Mexican’s Empty Stocking Fund c/o the Santa Fe Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1827, Santa Fe, NM 87504-1827.

Donors can request to remain anonymous.

If you can provide a service such as roofing or home repairs, contact Habitat for Humanity at repairs@santafehabitat.org.

If you can contribute food, clothing, toys, housewares, furniture, firewood, or other items or services, call the Salvation Army at 505-988-8054.

The deadline to apply for assistance has passed.

Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria are considered without regard to race, creed, place or country of origin, age, disability, ethnicity, color, gender identity, marital status or sexual orientation. They must live in Santa Fe County or Rio Arriba County and provide a Social Security number.