Bienvenidos Outreach Inc

HELPING THE HOMELESS AND NEEDY FAMILIES.

IN THE PAST YEAR BIENVENIDOS OUTREACH HAD ANOTHER INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF BOXES GIVEN OUT IN OUR FOOD BOX PROGRAM (11,958 FOR FY 23-24 VS 9,815 FOR FY 22-23), AND A SMALL INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF LUNCHES HANDED OUT IN OUR LUNCH BAGS FOR THE HOMELESS PROGRAM (15,854 FOR FY 23-24 VS 15,257 IN FY 22-23). OF THESE CLIENTS, THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 485 FAMILIES (1,395 PEOPLE) WHO APPLIED FOR ASSISTANCE WITH US FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE TOTAL NUMBER OF FOOD BOX PARTICIPANTS THIS YEAR WAS 1,483 FAMILIES (3,849 PEOPLE). THE INCREASE IN FOOD BOXES CAN PARTIALLY BE ATTRIBUTED TO MORE SINGLE-PERSON HOUSEHOLDS AND GROWING FAMILIES THAN IN THE PAST.PRIVATE & RETAIL FOOD DONATIONS WERE BETTER THIS YEAR WITH MORE ORGANIZATIONS DOING FOOD DRIVES. WE STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM OF HAVING TO THROW AWAY PRODUCT FROM THE STORES DUE TO SPOILAGE, SO WE ARE SPENDING MUCH MORE AT THE SUPERMARKET FOR BASIC NECESSITIES. WE CONTINUE TO PURCHASE FOOD FROM LOCAL FARMERS THAT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR OUR SPECIAL FOOD BOXES THAT CONTAIN HEALTHY FOODS FOR MEDICALLY-CHALLENGED PEOPLE, CHILDREN AND SENIORS IN OUR CARE. MONETARY DONATIONS ARE STARTING TO GET A BIT SLUGGISH BUT THE YEAR STILL LOOKED GOOD AND, WE STARTED A NEW PROGRAM WHICH IS GAINING ATTENTION IN THE COMMUNITY AND EXPECT TO ENJOY A ROBUST FY 24-25. WE ARE ALSO INCREASING OUR PRESENCE IN COMMUNITY EVENTS TO GET THE WORD OUT ON OUR EXPANDING PROGRAMS. THE NEW PROGRAM WE HAVE, CALLED GARDENS-FOR-ALL, PROVIDES IN-HOME HYDROPONIC GARDENS TO ALL WHO ARE INTERESTED. WE ARE PART OF UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL NEW MEXICO'S RESILLIENT COMMUNITY GRANTS WHOSE PURPOSE IS TO MAKE A STRONGER MORE SELF-RELIANT COMMUNITY.WE HAD A INCREASE AGAIN IN CLOTHING ROOM VISITS (7,745 VISITS IN FY 23-24 VS 6,916 IN FY 22-23) EVEN THOUGH WE CUT BACK ON HOURS ON MONDAYS.OUR CHRISTMAS GIFT PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN PROVIDED 640 CHILDREN WITH 1,280 GIFTS (2 GIFTS EACH). THIS YEAR, WE BELIEVE WE WILL HAVE ABOUT 400 CHILDREN AS OUR CLIENTS' CHILDREN ARE AGING OUT OF THE PROGRAM.OUR NEWER PET PROGRAM AND DOOR DASH PROGRAMS ARE STILL AVAILABLE TO CUSTOMERS. ON AVERAGE, 16 CLIENTS PER MONTH RECEIVE DOOR DASH SERVICE AND IN FY 23-24 WE PREPARED 4,247 PET FOOD PACKAGES FOR OUR CLIENTS (UP FROM 2,485 IN THE PRIOR FISCAL YEAR).VOLUNTEER STAFFING IS STEADY AT ABOUT 50 REGULAR VOLUNTEERS AS IT WAS LAST YEAR. WE CONTINUE TO RECRUIT NEW VOLUNTEERS AT EVENTS AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO KEEP UP WITH DOING OUR WORK TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THOSE IN NEED.