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 $25,000 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 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.

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.”

➡️ Read the full article here.

Last November, The Commons launched our End of Year Matching Gift Challenge. A fundraiser aimed to double community impact through a $30,000 matching donation generously provided by longtime supporters Suzi and Janey. The campaign invited community members to contribute before the end of the year to help address rising food insecurity in Grant County.

As grocery prices continue to rise, federal disruptions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) persist, and more households require assistance, local food pantries are experiencing increased strain. Across the region, community-based food systems are being asked to do more with fewer resources as families turn to local support to fill widening gaps in access to nutritious food.

Food insecurity remains a pressing issue across New Mexico. Over 1 in 6 people (16.6%) in the state struggle to access enough nutritious food, and for children, the rate is even higher, with nearly 1 in 4 (23.3%) at risk of hunger (Roadrunner Food Bank, Map the Meal Gap). Our state also has the highest rate of SNAP participation in the country. According to Roadrunner Food Bank, as of August 2025, 3,929 households in Grant County alone rely on SNAP benefits, receiving an estimated average of $325 per month to help put food on the table.

Thanks to you, our incredible community, we raised over $42,000 in less than seven weeks. Not only did we meet our $30,000 match goal, but we exceeded it, resulting in more than $72,000 raised in total to support food security efforts across our county. Whether you donated online, by mail, in person, continued a monthly contribution, or helped spread the word, every action played a role in this incredible success.

This achievement comes amid a year marked with significant challenges, including the Trout Fire and the temporary halt of SNAP benefits during the federal government shutdown. Despite these disruptions, our community showed up for one another. That resilience is made possible through mutual support, collective strength, and a genuine commitment to care, values that Grant County continues to embody.

Funds raised through this campaign go directly toward The Commons’ operations and programs that strengthen food security and sustainability in Grant County. In 2025 The Commons distributed over 300 tons of food to Grant County residents. Nearly 5,000 people a month utilize The Commons Services. Because of your generosity, The Commons can continue meeting immediate needs of the community.

A big thank you to Suzi and Janey for their generosity and for kicking off this fundraising challenge, as well as to the Town of Silver City for sponsoring as a part of their food security initiatives.

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.