United Way of Central New Mexico (UWCNM) and Albuquerque Community Foundation (ACF) are working with community partners to provide relief to residents evicted by the Big Hole Fire in Valencia County near Rio Communities. The Emergency Action Fund will provide support to organizations in Valencia County that will deploy funds for meals, clothing and other necessities to those who have short- and long-term recovery needs. Community partners include Meta Los Lunas Data Center, Nusenda, PNM Resources Foundation, Wells Fargo and Western Sky Community Care. 

The fund will be managed by ACF and UWCNM, who will work with partner agencies in the county. Some of the agencies identified to assist include the St. Teresa of Calcutta Soup and Blessing Kitchen and H2 Academics. 

“We are grateful to have the opportunity to actively assist our community through the generosity of our partner agencies from the greater Albuquerque area,” said Holly Chavez, Chair of H2 Academic Solutions Scholarship Fund. “With these funds, we will be able to directly offset some of the damage and hardship caused by this disaster allowing families to begin recovery.” 

“The Emergency Action Fund will allow for us and our community partners to pool our collective resources together to support our neighbors in Valencia County in the most immediate and effective ways,” said Randy Royster, President & CEO, Albuquerque Community Foundation.  

Donations to the Emergency Action Fund are being accepted at go.abqcf.org/belen or by mail to Albuquerque Community Foundation, P.O. Box 25266, Albuquerque, NM 87125.