By Kevin Hendricks, The Paper. — Some elderly residents in Counselor, Nageezi and Cuba are living without running water after heavy rain washed out roads and damaged waterlines. Now a Rio Rancho food pantry is going well beyond its usual service area to help.

St. Felix Pantry is delivering food and emergency supplies to the flood-damaged communities this week, according to a press release from the nonprofit. President and CEO Tim Sheahan and the pantry team set up the deliveries after hearing how urgent the need was, the release said.

Flooding has made some dirt roads impassable, according to the release. That leaves residents struggling to get safe drinking water, food and other basics as the stormy weather continues. 

The pantry usually serves Rio Rancho-area families through its food pantry, School Snack Pack Program, Mobile Food Pantry and Community Diaper Pantry. It’s asking residents, businesses and organizations to donate shelf-stable food, bottled water, supplies and money to cover both the flood response and its regular programs.

Help St. Felix Pantry’s flood response:

  • Donate online: stfelixpantry.org
  • Most needed: shelf-stable food, bottled water, essential supplies and financial gifts
  • Drop-off location and hours: 4200 Barbara Loop SE, Rio Rancho, NM, 87124. Tuesday through Friday from 7 a.m.-noon Online: donate.stripe.com/eVq14nfLS1Zp7MkdQB87K06 
  • Contact: Tim Sheahan, president and CEO, tsheahan@stfelixpantry.org

Kevin Hendricks is an editor with nm.news where he oversees Sandoval County newsrooms. A native of Southeast ABQ, he reported for the ABQ Journal and Rio Rancho Observer before joining nm.news in 2024.

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