CNM Opens Permanent Food Pantry on Main Campus
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic the CNM Foundation, with generous support from the United Way, was able to provide food donations for nearly 300 students. Those donations then went on to feed some 1,000 CNM student household members.
Now, as of Dec. 1, a permanent food pantry is open on CNM’s Main Campus in the Student Resource Center library. The pantry will be under the leadership of Chris Cavazos, the Executive Director of Student Life/Dean of Students, with support from the CNM Foundation. The pantry will distribute food every Wednesday from 3-6 p.m. and will provide fresh fruits and vegetables as well as non-perishable items. Any CNM student in need is encouraged to stop by and pick up a bag of food. Students just need a CNM ID and can fill out an intake form when they arrive.
“We’re finding ways to support students’ education in every way possible, and one of the barriers we’re trying to overcome is food insecurity. We realize that it’s difficult to be a student when you don’t have food on the table and can’t eat breakfast before you come to class,” says Nireata Seals, CNM’s Vice President for Enrollment Management & Student Success.
The Main Campus pantry is being funded by the CNM Foundation and its generous donors. As part of Giving Tuesday, the Foundation also encouraged the CNM community to donate to the Leading the Way campaign, which is raising funds to buy pantry food through the Feeding Families Fund. The Foundation is also matching all Feeding Families donations up to $5,000.
“The CNM Foundation is very excited about the pantry because it’s yet another way we can create the type of holistic support that students need,” says Clint Wells, the Executive Director of the CNM Foundation. “We’re here to provide tuition assistance, but we’re also here to help students overcome barriers any way we can.”
At the pantry, the fruits and vegetables are being provided by MoGro and the Road Runner Food Bank is providing the non-perishables. CNM also plans to set up a spot where students, staff, and faculty can donate non-perishables.
“With the food pantry we’re creating the kinds of wrap-around services that CNM students need to be successful,” Nireata says. “We encourage anyone in need to stop by this Wednesday and we encourage anyone who can support our Leading the Way campaign to make a donation.”
