People Helping People requests community help

RIO RANCHO — People donated to St. Felix and Storehouse West this year but another pantry did not get anything.

People Helping People is hurting and needs help, according to some of its managing team.

"I understand times are tough for a lot of these families, but it's also tough for the nonprofits, because it's not just food pantries that are suffering. There's animal shelters, animal rescues, everybody," Valerie Duran said.

It all started about six months ago when PHP founder Linda Stevens became incapacitated, causing donations to drop "significantly,"  according to Duran. 

But the situation didn't stop there, she said. The van,  a 1997 GMC, that they use for pickup and delivery had problems. While families are required to pick up their food at PHP, the pantry delivers to seniors who may not be able to travel and the senior complexes in Rio Rancho. 

"Since the transmission went out on the pickup vehicle, we're having to just beg, borrow, and steal basically to find other vehicles ... from other individuals to be able to pick this stuff up every Tuesday and every Friday," Duran said. "It's become quite the task, and without donations, we don't have the funds that are needed to replace the transmission."

The "pickle," that they're in,  as Duran put it, demands help from the community. She said right now, more than ever, they need monetary donations. 

The transmission costs about $6,500 to get replaced on the vehicle, but they also need help "keeping the lights on" so to speak. Aside from providing food, PHP has to pay rent, bills and more to keep the establishment running, which if the situation continues on as it is, won't stay open for long.

Duran's goal is to help Stevenson keep the place running and make sure their needy families get food. At the moment, PHP has 300 seniors and 500 families being helped. Duran added that about 200 of those families reach out per month for emergency assistance, as well.

Right now, PHP needs money and volunteers. 

People can donate by either using Zelle and entering 505-615-1951 as the phone number or make out a check to PHP on 245 Moonstone Drive, Rio Ranch0. All donations are tax-deductible as well, PHP pointed out.

Questions can be directed to Stevenson at 505-615-1951.