The Empty Pantry Fund
Sponsored by Governor Bill Richardson
Overwhelming numbers of employees at Santa Fe businesses have recently lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These include workers at restaurants, retail stores, hotels and other businesses that have had to close their doors or down-size during these trying times. These members of our community are the backbone of Santa Fe's business and tourism industry, which typically flourishes during the summer. With multiple festival and concert cancellations, most of these workers will remain unemployed for many months.
The Governor’s idea was to start an Empty Pantry Fund, similar in structure to the Empty Stocking Fund, to provide much needed assistance for laid-off employees and their families. The idea has become reality and in conjunction with the efforts of The Santa Fe New Mexican and the Santa Fe Community Foundation, a fundraising goal of $100,000 has been set. The Empty Pantry Fund will provide households with gift cards to local supermarkets, providing essentials to feed and care for their families. We are well on our way there. Will you pitch in?
All of us in Santa Fe have benefitted from the tireless work of these often unseen laborers - the dishwashers, the hotel housekeepers, the shelf stockers, the night security guards, the line cooks, and more. Let's do our part as a community to help them until Santa Fe reopens for business.
Click here to view the Emtpy Pantry Fund Application.