St. Felix Pantry in Rio Rancho — the only food pantry in Sandoval County that offers weekly food access to anyone, regardless of income — is launching a raffle for a donated HVAC system as it works to keep up with rising demand and falling donations.Inside the pantry, shelves that are normally packed high with food are starting to thin out.“This time of year it’s getting low. You think we have a lot here, but this stuff will all be gone within a couple of days,” President and CEO Tim Sheahan told KOAT on Friday.Located just off Highway 528 and Barbara Loop SE, St. Felix Pantry regularly sees cars lining up as early as 6:30 a.m., even though doors do not open until 9 a.m. It is open for food pickups Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.The pantry serves more than 600 families each week. To receive food, guests only need to show a New Mexico ID with a current address.To help replenish supplies, St. Felix Pantry is raffling off a $25,000 Carrier HVAC system donated by Affordable Service Plumbing and Heating.“They gave us a $25,000 Carrier air conditioning system,” Sheahan said.The company, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, decided to mark the milestone by giving back to the community instead of holding a large celebration.Raffle tickets cost $40 each, and all proceeds will go directly toward buying food for local families. Tickets can be purchased in person at St. Felix Pantry.So far this year, the pantry has distributed more than 1 million pounds of food.“I will never turn a guest away,” Sheahan said. “They have smiles on their faces. They’re so happy to be here and get that food.”Organizers say the raffle could provide much-needed support at a time when food prices remain high and community need continues to grow.Tickets are on sale now through Aug. 21, and the winner will be announced Aug. 22.“This is a great time for us to fill our shelves because they’re empty,” Sheahan said.
St. Felix Pantry in Rio Rancho — the only food pantry in Sandoval County that offers weekly food access to anyone, regardless of income — is launching a raffle for a donated HVAC system as it works to keep up with rising demand and falling donations.
Inside the pantry, shelves that are normally packed high with food are starting to thin out.
“This time of year it’s getting low. You think we have a lot here, but this stuff will all be gone within a couple of days,” President and CEO Tim Sheahan told KOAT on Friday.
Located just off Highway 528 and Barbara Loop SE, St. Felix Pantry regularly sees cars lining up as early as 6:30 a.m., even though doors do not open until 9 a.m. It is open for food pickups Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.
The pantry serves more than 600 families each week. To receive food, guests only need to show a New Mexico ID with a current address.
To help replenish supplies, St. Felix Pantry is raffling off a $25,000 Carrier HVAC system donated by Affordable Service Plumbing and Heating.
“They gave us a $25,000 Carrier air conditioning system,” Sheahan said.
The company, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, decided to mark the milestone by giving back to the community instead of holding a large celebration.
Raffle tickets cost $40 each, and all proceeds will go directly toward buying food for local families. Tickets can be purchased in person at St. Felix Pantry.
So far this year, the pantry has distributed more than 1 million pounds of food.
“I will never turn a guest away,” Sheahan said. “They have smiles on their faces. They’re so happy to be here and get that food.”
Organizers say the raffle could provide much-needed support at a time when food prices remain high and community need continues to grow.
Tickets are on sale now through Aug. 21, and the winner will be announced Aug. 22.
“This is a great time for us to fill our shelves because they’re empty,” Sheahan said.
