Interfaith Los Alamos Backpack/School Supply Drive Is Underway

INTERFAITH LOS ALAMOS NEWS RELEASE

The annual Interfaith Los Alamos Backpack/School Supplies Drive is underway. The community is asked to help Lutheran Family Services (LFS) provide backpacks and school supplies to approximately 200 families/refugees in need.

Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains has been serving individuals and families in the Rocky Mountain region since 1948. In New Mexico, LFSRM provides a multitude of services to newly arrived refugees and asylees in New Mexico. With offices in Albuquerque and Las Cruces, they provide essential services for all eligible clients including Case Management, Employment & Career Pathways Support, School Programs, Youth Mentoring, Health Education & Navigation, and Economic Development.

LFS is not taking in new refugees due to changes in government funding and policy. LFS is one of the most capable groups resettling refugees/evacuees who have gone through a legal process to come here. They are taught English, provided with cultural training, helped to find jobs and become valued members of the society.

LFS still has commitments for this year and hopes to provide the requested 30 backpacks for elementary, 30 for middle school, and 30 for high school.

The process for the gathering of these items is as follows:

What:

● Backpacks filled with supplies, gift cards from places like Target and Walmart to purchase shoes, etc. LFS cannot take cash donations, but some churches have collected donations and then purchased gift cards.

Drop Off Locations

● Churches may also collect backpacks and deliver them to any of the drop off points. Anyone encountering a problem with delivery may call 505-412-9470.

Timeline

● Last day of submitting donations is Sunday, August 16th. Backpacks and gift cards will be delivered to LFS Monday, August 17.

Lutheran Family Services is very grateful to the Los Alamos Faith Community for the last eight years of support, saying it’s great for young people to go to school looking like every other kid with a new backpack and all the supplies they need.