Give and be grateful

When this publishes, New Mexico will be only four days into a two-week shutdown – another attempt to slow a pandemic’s march across the state.

Eight months in, this seems like an endless struggle against a merciless, unseen enemy. People have died. Economies have imploded. It can be hard to feel grateful or generous in this season of thankfulness and giving.

But in the midst of strife, the residents in communities around Taos County and the Enchanted Circle will once again come together to help each other and those most in need. Here are some ways to pitch in and help, safely and at a distance.

Angel Tree Project – This is the 24th year Communities Against Violence will provide gifts to children whose lives are upended by domestic and sexual violence. This year, instead of having people provide a specific age-appropriate wrapped gift, CAV is asking for donations of gift cards or money so staff can buy the gift cards. Donations should be dropped off at CAV, 945 Salazar Road, no later than Dec. 18. CAV staff will log the donations and distribute them to families with children.

DreamTree Project – Every night, dozens of teens and young adults struggle to find a safe place to sleep. DreamTree offers emergency and transitional housing for homeless youth in Taos and around the Enchanted Circle. Check out their programs and how you can help at dreamtreeproject.org.

HEART House – This shelter for women and children in Taos provides a safe space for them to stay off the street and get back on their feet. Currently, along with monetary support, the shelter needs donations of paper towels, toilet paper, soap, cleaning supplies, canned goods and new packaged food. Find out more at heartoftaos. org

Food Pantry and Shared Table – For years, the St. James Food Pantry and the Shared Table, organized by the First Presbyterian Church and the El Pueblito United Methodist Church, have kept hundreds of Taos families fed every week of the year. The need for that food has only increased during the pandemic. The churches welcome donations to help purchase food and are always in need of volunteers to box and distribute to families. Find out more at stjamestaos.org, firstpresbyteriantaos.com or elpueblitoumc.org.

Medical Debt Relief – A coalition of nine churches are working together to raise funds to wipe out the hospital bills burdening local families, especially important now when many have lost jobs or seen their income reduced due to the pandemic. Checks can be made out to Taos UCC or Holy Cross Medical Center with Medical Debt Relief in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to: Taos UCC, P.O. Box 1084, Taos, NM 87571. See the story in this week’s paper, page B3, for more information. Last year, the effort raised enough to purchase the debt of 89 families.

Stray Hearts Animal Shelter – The pandemic has created particular challenges at the shelter where the staff must both protect themselves from the virus in order to keep caring for the animals at the same time they continue encouraging the public to adopt dogs and cats. Donations not only of cash but of dog food, disinfecting supplies, crates and towels are needed. Find out more at strayhearts.org.

Taos Feeds Taos – For more than three decades, a cadre of volunteers have put together more than 1,100 boxes of food to help their neighbors eat well over the

Christmas holiday. The need to protect volunteers and recipients from COVID has changed the program this year. People must call in to receive a food basket. Monetary donations are sought so organizers can purchase gift certificates to be used at Super Save before Christmas. TFT president Francis Córdova said donations are needed more than ever “with so many without jobs, a greater need for assistance is anticipated.” Mail donations to: Taos Feeds Taos, P.O. Box 234, Taos NM 87571. Paypal donations to taosfeedstaos.org.

Taos Men’s Shelter – Taos News continues to serve as a daytime drop-off point for donations to help the guests at the men’s shelter. A bin is set up in the foyer at the newspaper (226 Albright Street) for the shelter. As winter approaches, donations of gloves, wool socks, long underwear, winter coats and sweaters are particularly needed. There is always a need for hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and masks at the shelter.

Dozens of other nonprofits work diligently to meet the needs of our communities. Pick one, pitch in and help out. It won’t make the pandemic go away, but it can help you feel better while making a big difference in the lives of others.

And be grateful we have each other.