PITCHING IN
Nusenda awards $30K in relief grants
Nusenda Credit Union has announced it has awarded a $30,000 grant to the Taos Community Foundation to help address COVID 19-related educational inequity amplified by a lack of home internet access, as well to address emergent health care needs for northern New Mexico residents, medical front-line workers and patients. The grant provides:
$15,000 to the Taos Community Foundation’s Education Collaborative. The grant, in partnership with Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, will provide six months of no-cost internet access to 100 economically disadvantaged families with K-12 students in Taos County.
$15,000 to the Taos Community Foundation to provide hotel vouchers for health care workers, first responders and other medical personnel who need to quarantine because of COVID-19 exposure or illness; as well as funding to provide medication and COVID-19 medical therapy for patients who cannot afford the over-thecounter medications necessary to recover.
Northern New Mexico, including Taos, is considered high-poverty and at-risk. In terms of digital access, New Mexico is the second leastconnected state in the country.
R. Greenleaf makes food bank donation
R. Greenleaf, one of New Mexico’s leading medical cannabis providers, has announced the completion of its successful Fall food and fundraising drive. The drive was held at eight clinics throughout the state, with donations going to the RoadRunner Foodbank in Albuquerque and other nonprofit organizations in
Grants, Roswell and Las Cruces.
Through the generous patient contributions and the company’s dollar for dollar financial match, the community drive provided nearly two tons of food and $11,500 to help those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic and holidays.
“With so many people facing financial hardships, we’re committed to doing our part for the communities we serve,” said Willie Ford, R. Greenleaf’s chairman of the board. “Our mission is to promote greater compassion not only with our patients but throughout New Mexico.”
The food drive is part of R. Greenleaf’s ongoing campaign to give back to the community by identifying local needs and concerns. R. Greenleaf encourages and incentivizes clinic staff and patient participation in outreach activities, such as school supply and holiday toy donation drives.
In 2020 alone, R. Greenleaf raised and donated thousands of needed supplies and tens of thousands of dollars for local nonprofits, charitable organizations and community initiatives. “As we expand and grow throughout New Mexico, we intend to be actively involved in promoting wellness and doing our part to help the community by giving back,” added Ford.