Storehouse West Prepares for holidays; shelves are low

RIO RANCHO — The shelves at Storehouse West were at the lowest that Director Deborah Bock has ever seen Nov. 9, and people in need increased by 30% recently.

At this point, Bock is waiting, hoping for a miracle for her families in Sandoval County while they get ready for their Thanksgiving distribution.

“We only have 80 bags filled. Last year’s Thanksgiving, we served at least 300 people,” she said.

Bags go out to any sized family with the smallest bags reserved for families of one or two and seniors in need. The bags include stuffing, yams, green beans, cream of mushroom soup, cranberry sauce, things to make pumpkin pie, mashed potato mix and gravy mix.

Bock now needs stuffing, yams, green beans and French-fried onions to continue making the bags.

“I just don’t know why donations haven’t come in this year,” she said.

When the donation bagging drive began Nov. 9, it didn’t seem like anyone would bring additional food. Bock says any previous donations were already bagged and ready to go.

A Boy Scout troop arrived just in time to add to the donations, bringing in just under 2,000 pounds of food. According to Bock, that’s about a third of what they need.

“Two thousand pounds of food will go a long way,” she told the troop.

She commended their dedication to the whole process of donating the food.

After a round of applause, the troop went home to enjoy the rest of their Saturday, but it was evident they were pleased with what they had done for the community.

But Thanksgiving and Christmas are only a couple of days out of the year. Bock and Storehouse West’s crew are collecting for everyday needs, which are ever growing.

“It’s unfortunate because we don’t want to have to stay in business,” she said.

Staying in business for Storehouse West means families are still struggling. Bock attributes that to a few things. She says the pandemic definitely threw a wrench into people’s incomes. Now, she says, the problem is global inflation.

“When you add more tariffs, things get expensive,” she said.

What Bock needs to help the several families now reliant on Storehouse West is monetary donations. The food goes a long way, but cash goes a long way in paying for operations. Storehouse West also buys necessities when they don’t get a lot of food donations.

“I buy eggs whenever I can,” she said.

One thing that Bock wants all families in need to know is they can qualify for help even when things are good.

“Maybe it helps you get ahead on your bills,” she added.

As a message to the community, Bock says, is it’s not too late for that miracle.

Storehouse West will be distributing Thanksgiving bags Nov. 19 and 21 and will accept donations at their Rio Rancho home, 1030 Veranda Road SE. If people can’t make it in time for Thanksgiving distribution, Christmas is right around the corner. Those distribution days are Dec. 17 and 19.

Even if people aren’t donating for the holidays, Storehouse West accepts donations throughout the year. They will be closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, however.

“If the Boy Scouts can do it, so can you,” she said.