By Michele Robertson
Operation Hope has been serving Carlsbad residents for the past 23 years. It started as a Girl Scout Gold Award Project and evolved into a large-scale community project helping various residents in need in different aspects throughout the year.
Terri Judah, kindergarten teacher and director of Operation Hope, said they expect to assist approximately 350 families this year.
“For the past 23 years, we have provided almost 8,000 Thanksgiving baskets to those in need in our community. We have provided baskets not only full of food, but full of hope and love and a way to be able to gather their family around a table and count their blessings even in the toughest of times,” Judah said.
“So many families struggle in Carlsbad. The unrealistic cost of housing makes it difficult for families to have much left over to feed their family. Then we must add in the increased price of food. For a single-household family, the struggle has become a burden. It can be difficult for a family to reach out, or they feel they may not qualify. That is why there is no qualification process to receive a basket. It has always been our commitment to our community that anyone who requests a basket will be given one with no questions asked,” said Judah.
November 16-17, you’ll find volunteers at all three grocery stores in Carlsbad: La Tienda, Albertsons, and Walmart. These volunteers are members of area youth and leadership groups, giving their time to collect donations for the organization.
“We could not make this food drive possible without the support of our local grocery stores and the youth organizations that work these events. We ask the community to help by joining us at the Boys and Girls Club, 1602 W. Fox St., on Friday, November 22, to help put the baskets together. We also need boxes, and anyone can drop off good boxes all day on Friday, November 22,” Judah said.
“I have been helping Terri Judah by collecting at the stores and at the high school with the food drive for at least 10 years. My students and my family work every year. I really believe it is important for our community to know that when they are struggling, there are those who are willing to help them out,” said Chancy Allen, Carlsbad High School instructor and Interact Club advisor. “Erin Aragon and I have been the sponsors for The Interact Club, which is a high school-based organization that helps with community service in Carlsbad. We truly believe in helping others,” she added.
“Donations can be made throughout the year as we support families with food, clothing, and household items when requested. We accept donations to help these families and pass on the blessings. The most requested items are food certificates and certificates for clothing. We have a storage building that we keep clothing and used household items and furniture in to help when a family is in need,” Judah said.
If a local business wants to collect food at their location, volunteers will pick it up on Friday, November 22. All that needs to be done is to contact Judah via phone or email, and Operation Hope will send people out to collect the items.
The deadline to request a basket is Monday, November 18. Community members or local businesses who would like to donate can send donations to Terri Judah C/O Thanksgiving Food Drive at 316 E Rose St., Carlsbad, NM 88220
To request a basket, call Judah at 575-361-5261 or reach out to a school counselor for any student who attends Carlsbad Municipal Schools, and they can get on the list. Families can also email Carlsbadthanksgivingfooddrive@gmail.com
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