Empty stocking fund

The Empty Stocking Fund is a 40-year-old project of The New Mexican. Each year, hundreds of people receive aid from the fund during the holiday season to help cover rent payments, medical bills, utility costs, car repairs, home improvements and other needs.

Volunteer of the day: “I started 17 years ago … since then, I have been able to get many people the help they need. It is so rewarding to help when these people need it most. Through the winter months. I also did the Empty Pantry Fund when COVID hit and people needed food due to businesses closing because of COVID.” Roberta Duran, Presbyterian Medical Services

Who it helps: Applicants, who must live within 50 miles of Santa Fe and must provide documents that provide proof of their identity, are considered without regard to race, age, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation.

How it works: Applications for funding are carefully vetted. Members of the Empty Stocking Committee review requests, meet with each qualifying applicant to examine records of outstanding bills or other needs and verify the applicant’s income. If a request is approved, the committee sends a check directly to the service supplier. The cap for most requests is $1,000, but can be as much as $2,500 per household, depending on the need.

2021 goal: $275,000

This holiday charity project, which began in 1981, is jointly administered by the Santa Fe Community Foundation, Enterprise Bank and Trust, the Salvation Army, Presbyterian Medical Services, The Life Link, Habitat for Humanity, Esperanza Shelter, Youth Shelters and Family Services and a private individual.

To donate: Make your tax-deductible donation online at 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 505-9888054.

Donations

Patricia Celebcigil: $100

Chris Chavez: $20

Jack Clifford and Fran Talley: $50

Peter Clout and Marlene Jackson: $2,000 Janet Clow and David Cunningham: $500 Roxanne and Andrew Connan: $250 Laura Corbin (in memory of Katherine Carter): $100

Covington Family Fund: $25,000

Mary Daggett and Vicente Archuleta: $100 William Derbyshire (in memory of Veronica Reed): $100

Constance Deschmaps (in honor of grandsons Tom Leonard, Russ Leonard and Egan Deschamps): $500

Total: $28,720

Cumulative total: $55,879.01