Closure Notice
The Commons and the Choose Your Own Pantry will be closed Monday, May 25, 2026 for Memorial Day.
Our office will reopen on Tuesday, May 26th from 10AM-4PM.
The Choose Your Own Pantry will be open on Tuesday, May 26th from 11AM-3PM.
Sophie Klaus
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The Commons Hiring for an Operations Assistant
Join our team as Operations Assistant and support our daily functions across operations, programming, facility upkeep, and outreach. This is a temporary position that is expected to start in June.
To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to info@thecommonsgc.org. Please include “Operations Assistant Application [Your Name]” in the subject line. We will accept applications through mid May and start conducting interviews in mid to late May. A staff member will follow up with applicants with specific times and instructions for the interviews.
Click here to view the job description.
If you have any questions, please contact our office by calling (575)-388-2988 or emailing info@thecommonsgc.org.
Community Raises Over $20,000 Towards Food Security during Give Grandly
We are still in awe of the generosity shown to The Commons during Give Grandly and Southern New Mexico Giving Day. On April 18th, our organization took part in our local Day of Giving to connect with many of our supporters.
Because of you, we were able to raise $20,972 to further our mission to cultivate food security, self-sufficiency, and sustainability in Grant County.
Thanks to a generous matching sponsor, we will receive an additional $20,000. Meaning, every donation up to $20,000 will be matched dollar to dollar bring our total to $40,972! Every gift made during this giving period will play a critical role in helping us continue serving our community and ensuring Grant County families have access to food.
With these funds, we’re excited to grow our impact by expanding local food production, increasing youth education opportunities, and revitalizing our community garden program. We will also be building out and beautifying the parklet next to The Commons with our YCC crew this summer to honor the Monje and Martinez families and the newly named Monje-Martinez Park.
Thank you for being part of this work and for all your continued support!
The Commons Hiring for Youth Conservation Corps
The Commons is hiring for our annual summer Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program. It is expected to run for eight weeks from June 1st to July 23rd, 2026. This year, The Commons is looking to hire eight local youth from Grant County between the ages 16-18 to take part in our program. YCC crew members will get the chance learn about workplace readiness, develop skills such as teamwork, gardening basics, financial literacy, outdoor maintenance/beautification, tool and warehouse safety, CPR and first aid, and more.
The New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps was established in 1992 by the YCC Act. The purpose of the YCC is to provide a process for New Mexico youth, ages 14-25, to be employed in public projects that conserve natural resources and provide community benefits of lasting value. Projects must also provide training and career development for youth.
Applications open on April 20th and are due by May 8th. They can be picked up and turned in at The Commons, located at 501 E 13th St, Silver City, NM or sent to us via email at info@thecommonsgc.org. Required documents for applications include the completed application and a letter of interest. Interviews will be held May 9th and May 16th at The Commons. A staff member will follow up with applicants with specific times and instructions for the interviews.
This is a great opportunity for local youth to earn, learn, and make a positive impact in their community!
If you have any questions, please contact our office by calling (575)-388-2988 or emailing info@thecommonsgc.org.
Give Grandly Online Giving is Open!
Double Your Impact this Spring
This year, thanks to a generous sponsor, The Commons has secured a $20,000 matching gift for Give Grandly!
That means every dollar you give works TWICE as hard to ensure our community members have access to food, education, and the resources they need to thrive. Together we are doing more than feeding our neighbors. We are growing a stronger, more connected community. Remember: 100% of your donation stays right here in Grant County.
Thank you for your ongoing support of The Commons and our mission! We truly couldn’t do what we do without you.
Join Us at Gough Park
Join us on Saturday, April 18th from 10am-2pm to be apart of Give Grandly’s in-person day of giving! Held at Gough Park in Silver City, this is a chance to meet all the participating non-profits across Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, and Catron counties and learn more about their mission and programs. The Commons will be set up on the 12th Street side of the park near the basketball courts.
Other Ways to Donate
If you can’t make to the in-person event or would prefer to not donate online, you can send us a check through the mail or swing by our office to make a donation.
Location: 501 E 13th Street, Silver City, NM 88061
Mailing Address: PO Box 416, Silver City, NM 88062
Please make all checks payable to The Commons.
Important Dates to Remember!
Giving Period: April 13th-April 24th, 2026
Give Grandly In-Person Day of Giving: April 18th | 10 AM – 2 PM | At Gough Park, Silver City, NM
Southern New Mexico Giving Day (Online Only): April 24th | All Day
All giving will end at 11:59PM on April 24th, so make sure to get your gift in on time!
If you have any questions or would like more information, let us know by emailing info@thecommonsgc.org or calling our office at (575)-388-2988. Thank you for supporting The Commons and your community!
Give Where You Live: Give Grandly starts in April!
It’s that time of year again! Give Grandly, an annual fundraising event that brings the community together in support of local nonprofits across Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, and Catron counties is happening next month on Saturday, April 18th. This year the event is extra special because it is hosted by the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico (CFSNM) and Gila Community Foundation (GCF). These two organizations are partnering for the first time to host giving days in areas all across Southern New Mexico.
This year, The Commons will be participating in both online and the in-person day of giving event with the goal to raise $20,000 towards alleviating food insecurity in Grant County! We need you to tell your friends and family members about our mission to cultivate food security, self-sufficiency, and sustainability in Grant County and ask them to join us in helping to make a difference in our community.
Get Ready to Give in Silver City!
Starting April 13th and through April 24th, you can visit southernnewmexicogivingday.org and make a donation to The Commons.
Join us on Saturday, April 18th from 10am-2pm to be apart of Give Grandly’s in-person day of giving! Held at Gough Park in Silver City, this is a chance to meet all the participating non-profits across Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, and Catron counties and learn more about their mission. Be sure to stop by our booth and say hi!
Important Dates to Remember!
Giving Period: April 13th-April 24th, 2026
Give Grandly In-Person Day of Giving: April 18th | 10 AM – 2 PM | At Gough Park, Silver City, NM
Southern New Mexico Giving Day (Online Only): April 24th | All Day
All giving will end at 11:59PM on April 24th, so make sure to get your gift in on time!
If you have any questions or would like more information, let us know by emailing info@thecommonsgc.org or calling our office at (575)-388-2988. Thank you for supporting The Commons and your community!
The Commons Names Ben Rasmussen as New Executive Director
The Commons is pleased to announce that after a brief transition period, Ben Rasmussen has been hired as the new Executive Director.
Mr. Rasmussen has a long history of food security work in southwest New Mexico. Previously serving as the Chief Executive Officer for the National Center for Frontier Communities and as the founding director of the Frontier Food Hub from 2018-2025.
Since moving to New Mexico over a decade ago, Mr. Rasmussen has worked with dozens of local food producers, food hub networks and both state and federal agencies and has served as a national advocate for sustainable agriculture policy around the nation.
“My experience in the regional food and ag space is broad. I have designed and scaled coalitions, programs and partnerships in southwest New Mexico and across the state.” Said Mr. Rasmussen.
The Commons was founded in 2004 as the Volunteer Center of Grant County and has grown into a vital resource for the community, providing fresh food, education and connective opportunities to achieve its mission of cultivating food security, self-sufficiency, and sustainability in Grant County.
“The board is very excited to have Ben in place as our new Executive Director given his proven leadership skills, knowledge of the local community and food systems and his vision for a robust future for The Commons.” Said Ellen Pryor, board chair for The Commons.
Last year, The Commons distributed over 300 tons of food to residents across five sites in Grant County, citing a 70% increase in demand for services. Additionally, the Commons provided over 1,200 weekend food backpacks for students and nearly 1,000 emergency food boxes while directing over 3,000 hours of volunteer labor and providing hundreds of hours of youth and adult education in gardening, sustainable food production and healthy cooking.
“What draws me to The Commons is not only its history, but its potential and community. Every day we get to work with volunteers who come together to make sure everyone in our community gets fed.” Said Mr. Rasmussen. “I am interested to see how The Commons can leverage its strengths across disciplines to increase local food security, strengthen community bonds and utilize the amazing homegrown creativity here in Grant County to realize a brighter future for all.”
With this new leadership, The Commons is excited to move forward and continue its efforts in the community.
Interim Executive Director, Ben Rasmussen Featured in Edible New Mexico Article
In January, our Interim Executive Director, Ben Rasmussen was featured in an article from Edible New Mexico titled On Hunger’s Cutting Edge, which touched on the complexities of food security and food pantry operations in New Mexico. Ben discusses the work of the Frontier Food Hub, a close partner of The Commons’, who provides our pantry with direct access to produce from local farmers. This fresh produce is included in our food distribution programs, such as the Choose Your Own Pantry in Silver City.
“At the very end of one Roadrunner delivery route, residents in one of New Mexico’s most rural communities are working to solve local food issues on their own terms. In Silver City, this led to the creation of the Frontier Food Hub, a nonprofit that aims to help nearby farmers and producers sell and distribute their goods within the region, and to help local food pantries within the 17,000 square miles of Catron, Grant, Hidalgo, and Luna Counties access their products as well.”
“From Rasmussen’s perspective, this dual focus on both eaters and farmers addresses key food banking challenges around nutrition, waste, and cultural relevancy…Rasmussen believes, when local food pantries can source directly from nearby farmers, food is not only fresher, it’s more likely to appeal to local palates.”