City of Albuquerque Provides $250,000 Grant to Help Expand CNM’s Food Pantry Efforts

The generous grant will help the college provide more food and expand its efforts to additional campuses
July 21, 2022

Using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the City of Albuquerque recently granted $250,000 to CNM to help expand the college’s food pantry efforts. The funds will not only provide more food and supplies to students in need, but also allow CNM to establish new food pantries across CNM campuses. 

“Your understanding of the difficult challenges so many of our students face every day and your desire to provide them with help through this allocation is greatly appreciated by me, our students, and our entire CNM community. This funding will allow us to significantly expand food assistance to more of our students in need and their families,” wrote CNM President Tracy Hartzler in a thank you letter to the city. 

The CNM Food Pantry on Main Campus, which is operated by the Dean of Students Office in partnership with the Student Activities Office, currently provides students with a bag of fresh fruits, vegetables, non-perishable items, and toiletries every Wednesday from 3-6 p.m. during the term. Since opening in the Student Resource Center (SRC) Library last December, the pantry has been able to provide free groceries and supplies to 100—200 students each week. 

The ultimate goal of the food pantry is to help alleviate one of the barriers that might be preventing students from achieving their educational goals. Any student in need is encouraged to stop by. The only requirements are that students be enrolled in at least one CNM class and bring their CNM ID card.  

“By addressing food insecurity at CNM, more of our students will persevere, stay in school and become college graduates, and secure high-quality jobs in Albuquerque that will not only benefit the students and their families, but our entire community,” says President Hartzler.

Currently, CNM has plans to launch two additional food pantries—one at the South Valley campus and another at the Westside campus. There’s also a plan to create mobile food pantries that can serve additional students who don’t have access to the permanent pantries.

“We’ve seen how the pantries meet an important need and we want to do everything we can to provide easy-to-access services that reach as many students as possible,” says Brittany Karnezis, CNM’s Director of Student Life.  

Local nonprofits including MoGro and Roadrunner Food Bank will continue to support the pantry by keeping shelves stocked. The CNM Food pantry was established with funding from the CNM Foundation and its generous donors. Community members who want to donate can make a donation through the CNM Foundation’s Feeding Families Fund. Community members are also being asked to drop off unopened toiletries from the following list:

  • Body/face wash
  • Deodorant
  • Disposable razors
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Floss
  • Lotion
  • Soap
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Sunscreen
  • Toothbrushes
  • Toothpaste

If you’re interested in donating, please note that items must be new in the box or individually wrapped. Donations can be dropped off at the following locations:

  • Main (Student Services Center, Student Resource Center-Library, JS Building)
  • Westside (Security Station in Michael J. Glennon Building)
  • South Valley (Library)