[Neighbors] Care Kits Profile

[Lindsay at Nob Hill News]

Hi Nob Hill Neighbors,

Thought you might this story that ran today in Nob Hill News. If you are
interested in learning more about Nob Hill News, please visit us:
www.abqnobhillnews.com. Or if you'd like me to send you Nob Hill News for a
week so you can see if you like it, please email me:
lindsay.wood at abqnobhillnews.com. Thank you!

*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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Holly
Truitt is the new organizer for the monthly care kit project. (Photo:
Sequoia Rudolph)

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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John
Truitt helps to set up the assembly line for volunteers to fill gallon bags
with necessities. (Photo: Sequoia Rudolph)
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Mission
accomplished in 20 minutes. (Photo: Sequoia Rudolph)

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 at gmail.com
<hcrevtruitt at 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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Albuquerque
Community Safety Behavior Health Supervisors Misty Montaño (left) and
Janice Chino-Acton arrive to collect the care kits. (Photo: Sequoia Rudolph)


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