News

The Commons and the Choose Your Own Pantry will be closed January 19th, 2026 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

We will resume regular operating hours on Tuesday, January 20th, 2026.

Letter from Outgoing Executive Director, Iris Nolasco

Dear Commons Supporters,

I am writing to share a decision that comes after much reflection and care. I have decided to step down from my role as Executive Director of The Commons, effective December 31, 2025.

This was not an easy decision. The Commons’ mission, our team, and this community have been at the center of my heart and energy. Serving as Executive Director has been one of the most meaningful and rewarding experiences of my career, bringing me full circle from my early time with the Volunteer Center in 2007 to witnessing the growth of this amazing organization.

To our community—thank you for being the foundation of everything we do. Whether you’ve visited the pantry, attended a community dinner, volunteered your time, shared resources, or simply spread the word, you have helped shape The Commons into the welcoming place it is today. Our growth, including the expansion of programs and the “Choose Your Own” pantry model, has been driven by your resilience, generosity, and shared belief in caring for one another. I am grateful for the chance to serve this community and witness its strength every day.

Looking ahead, I want to share our plans for a smooth transition. Starting December 1st, Benjamin “Ben” Rasmussen will step into the role of interim Executive Director. Ben and I share a passion for local food systems and have collaborated closely over the past few years. He has my full trust and confidence as a leader who can guide this transition.

In Ben’s words:

“I’ve spent more than a decade leading regional food system work in southwest New Mexico, beginning with helping to launch and grow the regional food policy council, now the SWNM Food System Alliance, founding the Frontier Food Hub, and later serving as CEO of the National Center for Frontier Communities. Throughout that time, I’ve worked closely with The Commons on food distribution, community education, and broader strategies to strengthen our local food system.

I’m excited to step into the interim director role because I care deeply about this organization and understand its importance to Grant County. I look forward to deepening community relationships, advancing ongoing initiatives, and positioning The Commons for a strong next chapter.”

While transitions can feel uncertain, please know our mission remains strong and steady. The Board and Staff are fully committed to continuing our work with the same dedication and care. I have complete confidence in the incredible team and in each of you who make our mission possible.

Although I am stepping away from this leadership role, I remain deeply committed to The Commons’ mission and to the values we’ve built together. Thank you for your trust, understanding, and the countless ways you make our work possible. Leading The Commons has been an honor and a privilege, and I carry immense gratitude for all of you.

With gratitude and warm wishes,

Iris Nolasco

The Commons and the Choose Your Own Pantry will be closed December 20th – January 4th for the holidays. Please plan your pantry visit earlier in the month.

We will resume regular operating hours on Monday, January 4th.

Below is the pantry schedule for December:

Silver City – Choose Your Own Pantry – 501 E 13th St, Silver City, NM 88061

Open Weekly | Tuesday – Thursday | 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Open Saturday, December 6th | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Bayard/Santa Clara – New Deal Theater, Fort Bayard, NM

Next Pantry: Tuesday, December 16th | 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Gila/Cliff – Grant County Fairgrounds – 10 Arena Rd, Gila, NM 88038

Next Pantry: Tuesday, December 16th | 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Mimbres – Mimbres Roundup Lodge – 91 Acklin Hill Rd, San Lorenzo, NM 88041

Next Pantry: Wednesday, December 17th | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Give Back to Your Community on December 2nd

December 2nd is Giving Tuesday! A day where people across the globe come together to help those in need in their local communities. We hope that you consider donating to The Commons and join us in our efforts to alleviate hunger in Grant County. Learn more about the Giving Tuesday movement here.

This Giving Tuesday is extra special because your donation will have twice the power it normally does thanks to our End of Year Matching Gift Challenge! We launched this challenge to reach our goal of raising $30,000 to match the generous donation made by Suzi & Janey.

That means your gift will have double the impact:

• $25 becomes $50 to do things like provide fresh produce to local families.
• $50 becomes $100 to do things like stock our community pantry.
• $100 becomes $200 to do things like support local food programs and education.

So far, we have raised a little over 25% of our goal, but let’s not stop there! Your donation will go towards supporting programs like our monthly food distributions, community dinners, and more. Thank you for supporting The Commons and making a difference in our community.

Three Easy Ways to Make Your Gift:

We want to give a huge thank you to Single Socks for their incredibly generous grant award to The Commons!

Single Socks is community thrift store located on 111 W College Ave in Silver City, NM. Not only do they offer our community unique, second-hand clothes, but they are also dedicated to supporting anti-hunger projects right here in Grant County. We are beyond grateful for their continued support and shared goal to cultivate food security and build resiliency.

Josie Ross of Kneeling Nun Mercantile is back to teach another Master Food Preservation Workshop at The Commons! Join us for our next class, Jam Packed Fun with Jams and Jellies on Monday, December 15th from 3-6pm. Learn how to make holiday jams and how to safely can it for later use.

There are only 15 spots per workshop, so make sure you RSVP before they fill up! There is a $5 fee to cover cost of supplies.

Please RSVP by emailing info@thecommonsgc.org or by calling our office at (575) 388-2988.

Click here to view photos from the Gala!

Our fourth annual gala fundraiser was an unforgettable evening!

We’re are beyond grateful to everyone who came out to support this year’s Gala in the Garden: Gather & Grow. Your energy and generosity turned the night into a true celebration of community. Thank you for supporting our mission to cultivate food security, self-sufficiency, sustainability in Grant County.

Thank you to all the incredible people and groups that helped make this event possible:

We truly could not have done this without your support!

This year’s event was presented in loving memory of two special people, Alex Olsen and Martyn Pearson, who touched the lives of many here in Silver City. They were heavily involved in our community, whether it was through their work at Gila Hike and Bike, coaching swim teams, or teaching culinary skills to Aldo students at The Commons. During the program, those close to Alex and Martyn shared memories of them and paid tribute to the lasting impact they made in our community.

Executive Director Iris Nolasco shared, “We all know the power of food in our lives—sometimes as the centerpiece of celebration, and too often as a resource that is scarce in our own communities. Alex understood this. Her touchpoints with The Commons included teaching culinary classes to Aldo Leopold students and hosting family movie nights. She brought together her love of food, her passion for teaching, and her gift for building community.

That spirit lives on in our mission at The Commons: ‘to cultivate food security, self-sufficiency, and sustainability in Grant County.’ This year, as we ‘Gather & Grow’ our programs and services, we dedicate the naming of our kitchen space to Alex and her beloved partner, Martyn. In their honor, we will continue cultivating a place of belonging, empowerment, and well-being.”

We’re excited to have Josie Ross of Kneeling Nun Mercantile teach Master Food Preservation Workshops once a month at The Commons! These classes will demonstrate safe canning techniques and how to reuse food scraps to reduce kitchen waste. Canning food is a valuable skill that supports self-sufficiency, reduces food waste, and helps build a well-stocked pantry for year-round food security.

Join us for our next class, Apple Orchard in a Jar: Boiling Water Canning 101 on Monday, November 10th from 3-6pm. Learn how to make apple pie filling and how to safely can it for later use. Plus, participants will be able to take their own jar of filling home the next day! Be on the lookout for future classes!

The 4th Annual Gala in the Garden is a fundraising event to help support the growth of all our programs and address food security issues in our communities!

You can help make a difference by joining us on September 27th from 6-10 pm and participating in our fundraising activities!

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now — available online and in our office. Advance purchase only.
✨ Our gala has sold out three years in a row, so don’t wait — grab your tickets today! 

#galainthegarden25 #gatherngrow #TheCommonsGC

Starting September 6th, we will no longer offer a mobile pantry in Silver City. This change comes due to the success of the Choose Your Own (CYO). The CYO will be available during regular pantry hours and will fully replace the mobile pantry.

The Choose Your Own Pantry will be open as follows:

• Every first Saturday of the month
• 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Limited ready-made boxes will be available for those with mobility issues.