Gov't, community organizations sponsor school supply drives

RIO RANCHO — The start of the new school year is just around the corner, but there’s still time for city residents to donate much-needed supplies for students.

The Rio Rancho police and fire departments, as well as community food pantries, are hosting donation drives either at their offices or during outreach events before the start of school Aug. 7, according to social media pages for each agency.

“We want to make sure that our kids in Rio Rancho have all of their classroom needs met,” said Capt. Jacqueline Reedy, public information officer for the Rio Rancho Police Department.

Anyone can donate at the “Movie with a Cop” event, featuring the “Smurfs” film, at 5:15 p.m. July 22 at Premiere Cinemas, located at 1000 Legacy Pkwy S.E. The department will also allow donations to be made directly to its headquarters, located at 500 Quantum Rd. N.E., until Aug. 1.

Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue has a school supply drive going until Aug. 1 but is managing the effort differently. Residents can donate at six different fire stations, including 2810 Southern Blvd., 1490 Cherry Road, 1650 Riverside Drive, 5301 Santa Fe Hill Blvd., 3125 Mariposa Pkwy., and 641 Rockaway Blvd.

RRFR encourages specific items, including backpacks, packages of erasers, composition notebooks, packages of colored pencils, markers and crayons, Expo markers, Kleenex, glue sticks, and zipper supply pouches.

All items will go to the Rio Rancho Education Foundation, which will distribute the items to schools.

After not being involved in the school supply drive for several years, St. Felix Pantry is making a comeback with two events in July meant to further the cause.

The first event is scheduled for 10 a.m. July 27 at the Rio Rancho Events Center. Families are asked to bring nonperishable food items to support the food pantry in exchange for children’s free haircuts and backpacks. The event requires pre-registration.

The second event is scheduled for 3-6 p.m. July 31 at Elevate Trampoline Park. Families who bring school supplies receive two hours of jump time for $10. All donations will be distributed to Title I schools within Rio Rancho Public Schools.

Tim Sheahan, president and chief executive officer of St. Felix Food Pantry, talked about the importance of the school supply drives.

“I think it’s important to be part of the community and for us to support the kids that are in school, because the food pantry supports all families,” Sheahan said. “If they can’t afford the food, they probably can’t afford the school supplies either.”