CIBOLA COUNTY - Many organizations are hosting food drives in Cibola County. To name a few are the District Attorney's office, the Good Samaritan Center and the NM Works Program at New Mexico State University-Grants. Several food drive representatives spoke at the Grants/Cibola County Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

Sylvia Martin, accountant for the chamber of commerce, turns in her donation of canned goods at Wednesday's monthly luncheon at La Ventana Steak House.BEACON / JARAMILLO

    The District Attorney's office food drive ends today. The 13th Judicial District Attorney office includes Cibola, Sandoval and Valencia Counties. If interested, you can place a non-perishable food item by today's end at the District Attorney's office on Mountain Road. The food collected is for local shelters within each county. For more information call 896-3952. Sharon Valdez spoke at the luncheon on behalf of Lemuel Martinez of the Attorney General's Office.

    Sarah Cargill, a career development specialist, spoke on behalf of the NMSU New Mexico Works Program. The group also is hosting a food drive, however, this one is specifically for the Grants Community Pantry. Residents can drop off food items at the center located at 900 Mount Taylor Ave. (ISD Office) or at the main NMSU-Grants campus at 1500 N. Third St. For more information call Cargill at 287-1327.

    The NM Works Program is also hosting a Koats for Kids effort in collaboration with KOAT-TV. If you know of a child in need of a coat this winter there are plenty of jackets available - call 287-1303 for more information.

    It was noted at the chamber meeting that the Rotary Club recently donated 40 turkeys to the food pantry.

    At the monthly luncheon, members were asked to bring a food item or items and many were received.

Mike Perez of the Grants Community Pantry was unable to make the Chamber luncheon but expressed his thankfulness of all the through a message made by Executive Director Star Gonzales.

    The Grants High School staff is also hosting a food drive but with a little fun attached - it is called “Can the Principal.” Staffers at the school filled Principal Alton Autrey's office with food items on Wednesday, Nov. 18. Autrey said the school collected more than 700 items in order for him to be 'CANNED' and that they plan on taking the items to the local Human Services Department to be distributed.

    Nevertheless, there is no excuse because there are many options available to help needy people with food. You can even go directly to the Grants Community Pantry in order to donate food. The pantry is located on Stevens Street, next to T-Bones Gym.

    Today, several local prisons are expected to compete with one another with who can collect the most food items for the need. See Tuesday's Beacon for the results.