By Lee Ross
Mountain View Telegraph
Philanthropy can't seem to keep a very tidy schedule.
Bethel Community Storehouse is getting ready to handle a passel of other needs — among them schoolchildren and helping people deal with the coming cold weather — even though it's not halfway through helping the victims of three recent fires in the Manzano Mountains.
The most recent of three large fires in the Manzanos, the Big Spring Fire, began west of Tajique, burned 5,478 acres and destroyed six homes and 10 outbuildings. Storehouse director Linda Smith said only one family came forward for assistance, but there were several displaced families from the previous fires that came to the storehouse for help.
"We were blessed in that we were able to get a United Way grant," she said.
United Way of Central New Mexico kicked in $15,000, which will be used to assist victims of the fire.
"We expect this to be a long-term help," she said. "It's a process, to relocate."
The fire also caused the creation of what Smith called a "safety net providers' team," a group formed under the Torrance County Project Office with representation from USDA Rural Development, the Small Business Administration, State of New Mexico, the Crossroads Church of the Nazarene in Moriarty's Disaster Relief Team, the Red Cross, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief and others.
With school starting this month, the storehouse is redirecting some of its energies to fill a need for items for students from kindergarten to grade 12 who will attend classes in Estancia, Mountainair, the Moriarty-Edgewood School District and even Albuquerque Public Schools, as long as the student lives in the East Mountains.
From noon to 3:45 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, volunteers distribute items like pencils and pencil boxes, glue, crayons, markers, notebooks and crayons for the elementary students and pens, protractors, folders, college-ruled paper and compasses for the older students. They hand out boxes of crayons to the youngest children so they won't feel left out, Smith said.
The storehouse asks for photo identification, proof of residence, and proof of income or a referral from a qualified church or agency like a human services department.
"We serve a whole lot of older kids" Smith said.
She's expecting 27 percent more students to come to the storehouse this year and, not counting donated items, the storehouse has purchased around $1,400 worth of school supplies.
"We're shooting for 600 (students). We'll do at least that many. I'm anticipating more this year, with the economy the way it is ... the last couple of days it's been rocking and rolling," she said. "We're seeing a lot of new people ... it's just a huge expense getting ready for school."
Clients are not just getting school supplies, she said. People need back-to-school clothing, food boxes and other items too. Smith said people don't just come by and pick up items they need. This year, for the first time, the storehouse has received quite a few backpacks as well.
"Out of their own need, they're giving, to be able to help the next neighbor or the next person," she said. "People get help then make a donation later ... That's what makes a great community here, people are so caring."
School supplies are offered through the first week of school and after that comes the busiest time of year, according to Smith, the fall and winter months, when the storehouse needs coats and blankets.
For information on giving or receiving assistance, contact the storehouse at 832-6642.
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