Bringing Food to Folks at the #ABQ Westside Housing Shelter

Homeless Helpers brings food to individuals staying at the Westside Emergency Housing Center. The facility, operated by the City of Albuquerque, offers a safe and welcoming environment to men, women and families experiencing homelessness in our metro area. The center provides only shelter, so a group called Homeless helpers has created system where volunteers bring food to those staying at the facility. Here is information on how you can help. 

Sandwiches: Sandwiches are the easiest to make and distribute. Peanut butter and jelly, Bologna, Ham & Cheese or any kind you choose. - Example - Ingredients for 300 PB&J Sandwiches: - 50-Loaves of Bread / 12-40oz jars of peanut butter (480ozs) / 14-32oz. jars of jelly (480ozs)

NOTE: If you choose to make a large crock pot type item, there is NO oven, stove or electrical outlet to warm food at the shelter. Please bring bowls & plastic utensils to serve food.

Snacks: The snacks can be any individual pre-wrapped items like cheese sticks, yogurt tubes, granola bars, cheese crackers, nuts, etc.. or of course you can make your own. Dessert: The snacks can be any individual pre-wrapped items like cookies, candy, rice crispy treats...or you can make your own.

Drinks: Drinks can be water, juice, lemonade, tea or anything pre-packaged. You can bring a jugs of lemonade, chocolate milk, tea, or juice. (You must bring cups if you bring a large jugs of drinks.) Anything extra you bring will be very much appreciated.

Additional Non-Perishable Items: Other non-perishable items can be brought to the shelter to distribute at coordinators discretion. Please inform coordinator prior to night to make sure items can be properly distributed. These items may include. New Socks, underwear. NOTE: These items may not all be distributed, so be prepared to take back any leftover items.

Bags: There is no need to put food in individual bags. We lay everything out on tables buffet style. Sandwiches together, snacks together, etc. Extra plastic bags (WalMart type) can be brought to give out as needed.

Meeting Point / Meeting Time: Meeting Point: We will meet at 7:00pm at Smiths parking lot (Golf Course & Paseo Del Norte) In of the Starbucks. The caravan will leave promptly at 7:10pm.

Shelter Location: It is about a 17 minute drive going West on Paseo Del Norte from Golf Course. (Old West Side Jail Near Double Eagle Airport)

On Location Distribution Time: 7:30pm - 9:00pmish.

Volunteers: Quantity - Minimum-4-8/ Optimum-8-12. There are 4 stations of food to distribute, so we need 1-2 people per station to effi-ciently distribute the food. Age: High School age and up. NOTE: High School aged volunteers can receive service hours: shopping, making, transporting and serving the meal. Parents are always welcomed and encouraged to attend. This is not school sponsored.

Recruiting/Registration/Sign Up: A Lead Volunteer will recruit 8-12 Volunteer Helpers. Once the Lead has FULL commitments from 8-12 volunteers, Please Sign up at SignUpGenius (link below) for your Homeless Helper Volunteer Weekend.

NOTE: You must get a FULL commitment from ALL 8-12 volunteers before you register for your weekend. You will be the only group as-signed to that weekend, cancellations are not an option.

Sign Up Here (via SignUpGenious) If you do not have an account, you can search for registration by creator email mbaca16@comcast.net

QUESTIONS? Homeless Helpers Head Coordinator: Mary Baca (mbaca16@comcast.net)