Balloon Rally returns to Socorro - Mountain Mail

Storehouse aims to reducefood insecurity in countyThe Socorro Storehouse, thenon-profit that exists to feed thehungry – and end food insecurityin the county - will be conductingtwo food drives in December,according to Storehouse directorValerie Key.“These will be held on the firstand third Saturdays of the monthand are looking for volunteers tohost them,” Key said. “We alsoaccept monetary donations bymail, or at our food drives, or youmay drop by the Storehouse onTuesday or Thursday.”The Storehouse is supportedsolely by the community throughdonations of food, cash and volunteerhours. Its need increases duringthe holiday season.“Socorro Storehouse providesfood for an average of 90 familiesweekly,” Key said. “We are also aCommodities and SeniorHelpings food distribution site,and also in Magdalena.“New Mexico is ranked numberone in ‘food insecurity,’ whichis defined as ‘uncertain or limitedaccess to enough food for an active,healthy life’,” Key said. “Whenyou are food insecure, you don’tknow where your next meal is comingfrom.”According to census figures, 39percent of children live in povertyin Socorro County.“59 percent of babies bornwere to single mothers – the mostreliable predictor of poverty forchildren,” she said.The Storehouse accepts mostall non-perishables items, such as“canned food like soups or stews,peanut butter, canned fruit andvegetables, saltines, granola bars,breakfast cereals, the list goes onand on,” Key said.“To everyone who has donatedtime, money, or food, we appreciateyou,” Key said. “If you havepurchased a breakfast burrito ordropped off food at one of our fooddrives, you have helped to feed afamily in need in Socorro.”Key said all the people andorganizations that help out duringthe holidays - and all during theyear - deserve a big “thank you.”These include Smith’s Foodand Drug, San Miguel Church,Trinity Christian fellowship, NewMexico Tech Chapter of KappaSigma, Casa Volunteers, HolidayInn, Elegante, Aerojet, Comidasde Nuevo Mexico, New MexicoTech Chapter Of AISES, andRoadrunner Food Bank.Key said “if you aren’t mentioned,please know that you haveour eternal gratitude for your kindness.”The Storehouse website issocorrostorehouse.org, and itsFacebook page, SocorroStorehouse.If you or someone you know isin need of food, give SocorroStorehouse a call at 575-517-7194. Socorro DAV - Joe C. Montoya - Chapter 24 DECEMBER EVENTS Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012 6 pmChristmas Holiday MEMBER’S partySaturday, Dec. 22, 2012 11am – 2pmCommunity Christmas DinnerMonday, Dec. 31, 2012 7pm - 2amNew Year’s Eve PartyFundraiser - hors d'oeuvres, DJ andMidnight Breakfast $10 per couple• DAV Member’s Meeting – 2nd Tuesday of each month – December 11, 6pm • Smoke Free Bingo –Wednesday, December 5 -Last Bingo Game of 2012 7pm– doors open at 6 pm –Have fun – Bring a Friend• Football Nights – Monday & Thursday – Three big screen TVs • DAV Service Officer available to assist veterans and their families with paperwork or to answer questions concerning VA hospital or their military service. Call the Socorro DAVfor appointment. • Van transportation to VA hospital Monday through Friday • Hall rental available• DAV Auxiliary Meeting – 2nd Thursday of each month –December 13, 6 pm • NM Veterans Officer, THERESA ZUNI, will be available by phone (1 505-841-5346) to assist veterans and their families with questions during the month of December. Socorro DAVJoe C. Montoya - Chapter 24Vidal Moya - Commander Club Hours: 11am to 8pm 200 N. 5th St. 835-0843SEASON’S GREETINGS Socorro DAV made Christmas Contributions to the following organizations: Children, Youth and Families, Battered Women’s Shelter, NM State Police Toys for Tots, Socorro County Sheriff ’s Dept. Toys for Tots, City of Socorro Police Toys for Tots, Socorro Animal Shelter, The House, TonyJaramillo Food Drive, City Youth Center, Socorro Fire Dept.mountainmailnews.com • Mountain Mail • November 29, 2012 • Page 11a sedge of cranesSandhill cranes at Bosque del Apache during The Festival of the Cranes, held Nov. 13-18. Aside from human loversof wildlife, there are approximately 11,000 cranes, 46,000 light geese, and 35,000 ducks roosting on the Refuge.Photo by John LarsonExpect roadblocks statewide in deer winter rangeThe Department of Game andFish will conduct roadblocksthroughout the state in wildlifewintering areas to collect harvestdata and to apprehend wildlife lawviolators. When deer gather inwintering grounds during the matingseason, they can be vulnerableto illegal hunting and other humandisturbances.Conservation officers also willcheck for compliance with provisionsof the Off Highway MotorVehicle Act, and drivers of vehicleshauling wood will be asked to producedocumentation as required bythe Forest Conservation Act.Department officers may beassisted by other law enforcementagencies such as the ForestService, Bureau of LandManagement, New Mexico StatePolice or county sheriff’s departments.As a result, the public mayencounter minor delays.To report a wildlife-law violation,please contact a localDepartment of Game and Fishoffice or call the toll-free OperationGame Thief hotline at 1-800-432-4263. Callers remain anonymousand earn rewards for informationleading to charges being filed.