Feeding Taos for 35 years
If there ever was a year when the generosity of the Taos community needed to rally around those in need, it was 2020. What with quarantines, social distancing, interrupted schedules – it took mettle, experience and devotion to successfully negotiate the act of giving.
Now in its 35th year, of providing holiday food baskets to the needy, Taos Feeds Taos proved itself up to the task.“Of course, we had to figure out a new way to reach out the community and how to adapt our giving to be in compliance with COVID-19 standards,” said (Ret.) 1SG Francis Córdova and wife, Ernestina Córdova.
Board member Judy Weinrobe said they have hundreds of people who “make our holiday giving possible and many are families that use this event as a learning tool to teach the concept of giving back,” she said. “Taos Feeds Taos had also been active in school programs, with contests for gathering donations.”
Ultimately, for 2020 the organization chose gift certificates to the local supermarket, Super Save Discount Foods – an unexpected blessing in disguise.“
Each applicant received a $75 certificate plus a free ham,” Judy said.
One woman said by being able to get what her pantry really needed, she was able to buy Christmas gifts for her grandchildren,” recalled Ernestina Córdova. Thats when the organization realized, going forward, gift certificates are best.“In addition to the large donations Super Save made directly, Taos Feeds Taos was able to place a donation box at the store,” Francis Córdova noted. Both Guardsmen and Kit Carson employees helped customers pack groceries and loaded cars before returning empty baskets to the store. Kit Carson put letters in every electric bill asking for donations. Ace Hardware requested donations at check-out; and LMNOC Broadcasting, KTAO and the Taos News generously provided advertising.
Of course the success of Taos Feeds Taos is a tribute to the entire community recognizing the needs of their neighbors, the Córdovas said. Taos Feeds Taos began in 1986 when Veterans of Foreign Wars member, Jim Ulmer, asked Córdova about using the National Guard Armory in Taos to distribute food to the needy. With the blessings of Gen. Edward Baca, Santa Fe National Guard, Ulmer’s dream came true.
What started at the Blueberry Hill armory expanded over the years into one of the county’s most sweeping philanthropic efforts to feed the hungry during the holiday season. “In 1992
Jim’s health was failing and Kiwanian Felix Trujillo and his wife Alice took over the project,” said Francis. In 1997, Town of Taos manager Gustavo Córdova formed a committee of concerned citizens to take over the project.“
Volunteers Roberto “Bobby” Gonzales, Eloy Jeantete, John Otis, Cheryl Hyland, my wife and I, and others kept the project going,” he continued. “Talk about miracles: Angels were there with wings open [and] enfolding all the volunteers.”
From distribution of several hundred food baskets in its early days, Taos Feeds Taos gave out 1086 gift certificates and hams in 2020.
Taos Feeds Taos looks to 2021 to innovatively grow the program. Besides their annual car show and auction (every July after Fiestas de Taos) they look to schedule new fundraising events to ensure viability.
The board of Taos Feeds Taos includes: Francis Córdova, president; Louise Gallegos, vice president; Mike F. Martinez, treasurer; Cathy Jeantete Aragon, secretary; board members Ernestina Córdova, Judy Weinrobe, Anita Bringas, Andrea Chavez, Mary Trujillo Mascareñas, Pauline Mondragon and Gloria Salazar.