2023 Casa San Miguel Report to the Vestry
Welcome to Casa San Miguel (CSM), the longtime food pantry ministry of St. Michael’s. Let’s take a tour as we describe our ministry. Every Monday at 6:30 AM a crew of 10-12 volunteers unload our delivery from Roadrunner Food Bank which includes free food from federal and state assistance programs and discount purchased food when available. Volunteers also pickup “rescue,” or near expired food thru Desert Harvest from grocery stores throughout the city, especially on Monday holidays when other charities are unable to do so. This Christmas, local MacArthur Elementary School had a canned food drive which then gave our pantry over 3000 pounds of canned goods. From these the Monday crew then assembles boxes and bags of non-perishable food. The next morning the Tuesday crew of 20 then uses these to fill wagons, adding frozen meat, produce, bread and dairy products, as available, and loads them in clients’ vehicles in a drive-thru manner. In 2022 we averaged 70 wagon loads, for 50 households that contained over 130 members every week. Each wagon is estimated to be worth $75-$100. For the year that totals out to over 165,00 pounds, and well over $300,000, quite a return on our $30,000 budget. Also, our volunteers worked over 3300 hours and at minimum wage of $12/hr that is about $40,000 for the year.
This summer a volunteer crew, led by John Clauss, evaluated the CSM buildings, acquired in 2006, and deemed its lifetime to be at least another 10 years. A major project to replace the patio’s vigas and roof is underway with volunteer labor at a cost for materials of around $2300 from the Capital Fund. Also, we were able to acquire 2 large commercial freezer/refrigerators with grant money and donations from parish members. These now complement our 7 existing domestic frig/freezers to provide needed storage space.
In 2022 we have partnered with the Landing Ministry to provide food for their guests. Also, Albuquerque FaithWorks, led by Elijah Martinez, now uses CSM to store and distribute their food two days every month to 30 asylum families in Albuquerque.
We want to especially thank Tom Hall and Bill Kirtley for their years of leadership as their term expires and thank all our 40 or so volunteers and the parish for supporting this ministry. We welcome continued financial support and any new volunteers in 2023. Contact Jake at 505-830-7700.
This summer a volunteer crew, led by John Clauss, evaluated the CSM buildings, acquired in 2006, and deemed its lifetime to be at least another 10 years. A major project to replace the patio’s vigas and roof is underway with volunteer labor at a cost for materials of around $2300 from the Capital Fund. Also, we were able to acquire 2 large commercial freezer/refrigerators with grant money and donations from parish members. These now complement our 7 existing domestic frig/freezers to provide needed storage space.
In 2022 we have partnered with the Landing Ministry to provide food for their guests. Also, Albuquerque FaithWorks, led by Elijah Martinez, now uses CSM to store and distribute their food two days every month to 30 asylum families in Albuquerque.
We want to especially thank Tom Hall and Bill Kirtley for their years of leadership as their term expires and thank all our 40 or so volunteers and the parish for supporting this ministry. We welcome continued financial support and any new volunteers in 2023. Contact Jake at 505-830-7700.
