Stephen Schulz, left, and Mohammad Munir of Lutheran Family Services loading elevator with donated backpacks. Courtesy photo

Program Manager Mohammad Munir , left, accepts delivery of donations from David Izraelevitz. Courtesy photo

INTERFAITH LOS ALAMOS NEWS RELEASE

Interfaith Los Alamos completed its eighth annual refugee support effort, collecting more than 45 backpacks filled with school supplies, $600 in gift cards, and an additional large box of school supplies for Albuquerque refugee students. The organization has been running annual backpack/school supplies and coat drives for refugees who come through the system of UN camps and are then assigned to different charity or for-profit organizations meant to help them become part of American life and productive citizens. Lutheran Family Services has been the organization coordinating resettlement in the New Mexico area for decades and has built a successful support system framework for new refugees. Despite funding cuts by the current administration, LFS continues to support some new refugees, and Interfaith Los Alamos responded to its last-minute request for backpacks and supplies.  

Special recognition should be made to our materials drop-off partners, Aspen Copies, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Crossroads Bible Church, Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church, and White Rock Methodist Church. We also recognize volunteers David Izraelevitz, Allen Matteson, Kate Massengale, and Brian Scott who coordinated collection and delivery of these much-needed donations.