Care Kit Project Helps the Unhoused
Nob Hill residents and Monte Vista Christian Church members address immediate needs of the unhoused in the community
By Sequoia Rudolph
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Two years ago, the Nob Hill Neighborhood Association and Monte Vista Christian Church launched a collaborative effort to support people experiencing homelessness in their community. What started as a search to simply “do something” has grown into a monthly volunteer project that now produces 100 care kits every month for distribution.
Recently, Holly Truitt—a longtime church member and care kit volunteer for nearly two years—took on the role of lead organizer. Her predecessor, Meta Hirschl, had been in the role for 18 months.
Now Truitt manages the behind-the-scenes logistics: taking inventory, sending email reminders, setting up tables, arranging items to assemble into the kits and coordinating delivery.
“Helping people is what this church does, and I’m here to be part of that mission,” Truitt said.
Gary Eyster, president of the Nob Hill Neighborhood Association, remembered that the project grew out of a groundswell of concern. “There was a meeting attended by 35 or 40 people, including [City Councilor] Nicole Rogers; an Albuquerque Community Safety outreach worker; church members; Nob Hill residents; and Pastor Dawn Rosignol, who offered space in the church,” Eyster said. “That night the group decided to make care kits for distribution by [Albuquerque Community Safety (ACS)]. By now, several thousand have been disbursed.”
The program quickly found its footing. What began with a handful of residents now draws about 15 to 20 steady volunteers each month, and has welcomed helpers from outside the neighborhood.
“It’s a small contribution to a very large problem,” said John Truitt, who volunteers with his wife, Holly. On a recent Tuesday evening, he opened a box of lip balm to add to the assembly line. “Holly is here as the organizer, and it’s something we can volunteer to do together—doing something good.”
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The effort is entirely donation-based. Volunteers fill gallon-sized bags with essentials like socks, toiletries and snacks. Several participants spend up to $75 of their own money each month to help. “It’s amazing what a clean pair of socks can do for someone who is in need,” one volunteer said.
Among the regulars is Katja Schroeter, a professor in UNM’s Department of Foreign Language and Literature. She remembers attending the very first meeting. “We wanted to come up with some way to help,” she said as she added her completed bag to a growing stack. “I take the bus every day, so I see the problems. Most people don’t see how desperate our people are from their cars.”
Once the tables are set and volunteers arrive, the work moves quickly. In about 20 minutes, the bags are filled, stacked in a wagon, and handed off to ACS staff waiting outside.
ACS responders distribute the kits directly during their routine calls for service. “ACS is committed to meeting people where they are—with dignity, compassion and practical support,” said Walter Adams, deputy director of field operations. “One way we do this is through our partnership with Monte Vista Christian Church, whose members assemble care kits each month for our unhoused neighbors.”
For more information about the Care Kit project—or to join the monthly volunteer list—contact Holly Truitt at hcrevtruitt@gmail.com. The group meets the third Tuesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. at Monte Vista Christian Church, 3501 Campus Blvd. NE.
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