As the holidays approach, a New Mexico State University (NMSU) service center wants to make sure they’re there to help those who may be struggling during this time, especially during these times. pandemic.
NMSU Social Services at Aggie Health and Wellness Center provide useful links for students, faculty and staff who need help finding a range of resources, including basic needs such as food, shelter, health care and legal aid. Social service staff provide information about local resources not only on campus, but also in the community.
“People might think they don’t necessarily need things like toiletries. But if they can save money on one thing so they can pay a bill, that’s what we’re here for, ”said Amanda Nunez, Social Services Programs Specialist at NMSU. “We have information on links to church resources in the community that can help with utilities, clothing, and finding housing.”
NMSU’s Aggie Cupboard is a well-known resource for providing food assistance to the NMSU community, including students, faculty, and staff at the Las Cruces Campus, Doña Ana County College, and Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine. But food aid is not the only help people can receive when they contact the program.
“Some people think the Aggie Cupboard is primarily for food, but we’re also connecting them to resources outside of the NMSU,” she said.
Even though the semester is already over and many students have returned home for the holidays, others are staying in student accommodation or apartments in the city, with no families nearby. NMSU Social Services want these students to know that they are not alone and to encourage community members to give back in any way they can to help these students feel more at home.
“Some students don’t have a warm jacket,” Nunez said. “We have a lot of international students, so that’s something the community can give back. “
Nunez added that she has an open door policy and wants the NMSU community to know that she is always welcome to reach out when needed, even when the cast closes during the holidays.
“I don’t like to leave students stranded. I have students myself and I know what it is. So if I see someone emailing me and it’s an emergency, I will absolutely respond. I find this as my duty, ”she said.
Aggie Cupboard distribution hours are Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The pantry will close on December 23, 2021 and reopen to the NMSU community on January 4, 2022. For those in need of immediate assistance, contact Amanda Nunez at amanunez@nmsu.edu.
To learn more about NMSU social services, click here. To learn more about Aggie Cupboard, visit their website. If you are interested in donating to the program, click here.
Author: Tatiana Favela – NMSU
