NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The South Fork and Salt Fires burning in and near Ruidoso and the Mescalero Apache Reservation have forced thousands of people and animals to evacuate.
If you are looking for ways to help donate to evacuees and the firefighters still battling the fires, KRQE News 13 has compiled the following list of official groups collecting monetary donations, food, clothes, and other supplies.
Monetary donations
Southern New Mexico Community Foundation and The Community Foundation of Lincoln County
The state of New Mexico is directing people who would like to donate money to the Southern New Mexico Community Foundation.
The Southern New Mexico Community Foundation, in partnership with the Community Foundation of Lincoln County, is currently directing efforts to Lincoln and Otero counties through the Greatest Needs Impact Fund. This fund provides financial resources to support the immediate and long-term recovery needs for the people, animals, and places affected by the wildfires in Southern New Mexico. The fund is also supported by the ongoing Shelter Fund, New Mexico Wildfire Relief Fund, and Emergency Action Fund held within the Albuquerque Community Foundation.
Those wishing to contribute can do so here.
Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce
All donations go directly to relief efforts for first responders and evacuees.
Click here to donate online or go in-person at 1301 N White Sands Blvd. in Alamogordo. For more information, contact Executive Director Jerrett Perry at 575-437-6120.
Mescalero Apache Tribe
The Mescalero Apache Tribe set up a GoFundMe to support the Mescalero Apache Tribe’s South Fork and Salt Fires emergency response efforts. The tribe is operating two evacuation sites on the reservation for tribal and non-tribal families. Any donations will go toward these evacuation sites.
Click here to donate.
Salvation Army Southwest Division
Monetary donations can be made at NewMexico.SalvationArmy.org or by texting RUIDOSO to 51555.
Those wishing to donate via check can mail checks to:
The Salvation Army Roswell Corps Community Center
Attn: Ruidoso Fire Relief
PO Box 897 Roswell, NM 88202-0897
Designate “Ruidoso Fire Relief” on the memo line.
Red Cross Disaster Relief
Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767), or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to, and help people recover from disasters big and small.
For those interested in helping people specifically affected by the recent wildfires, write “Western Wildfires” in the memo line of a check and mail it with a completed donation form to the address on the form or to their local Red Cross chapter. Find the donation form at redcross.org/donate.
American Red Cross New Mexico Chapter address:
2121 Osuna Rd. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87113
United Way of North Central New Mexico
The United Way has set up the Greatest Needs Impact for Ruidoso Fund. This fund provides immediate and long-term financial assistance for those affected by the fires. The Ruidoso Fund is a partnership between the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico and the Community Foundation of Lincoln County. Click here to donate.
Pioneer Bank
The bank has an official donation account for anyone who wants to donate monetarily to the people affected by the Ruidoso fires. Donations can be made at any Pioneer Bank branch.
Donation sites
Alamogordo
Otero County Fairgrounds (westside)
Where: 401 Fairgrounds Rd., Alamogordo, New Mexico 88310
What: Donation items and hours are changing daily. Please see the Otero County Administration page on Facebook for the latest updates.
Primary Contact: Commissioner Amy Barela, 575-0491-7265
NMSU Otero County Extension Office
Where: 401 Fairgrounds Rd., Alamogordo.
What:
Water
Non-perishable items
Clothing
Undergarments
Pet food
When: Now-June 24 until 9 am
Contact: Kalie Gillespie, Otero County 4-H Agent, at kalie17g@nmsu.edu or 575-437-0231
Albuquerque
Albuquerque Police Department
Where/When: Donations can be dropped off at any APD substation Thursday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (University Area Command until 4 p.m.). On Saturday, June 22, the last day of the donation drive, items can be dropped off at the Old Town Substation, located at 2060 Central Ave. S.W.
What:
Hygiene items
Bedding
Water
Sports drinks
New Mexico United
What/When: New Mexico United is coordinating several supply drives between June 19 and June 22.
The Team Shop, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
1-800-GOT-JUNK? ABQ at United Tailgate on Saturday, June 22, across from first base entrance at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park, around 3-3:30 p.m.
What
Hygiene products
Bottled water
Sports drinks
Wrapped snacks
Chapstick
Toys
Pet food
Boxed food
Canned food
Toiletries
Work gloves
Batteries
Flashlights
Travel-sized items
New Mexico United is also donating a portion of proceeds from the June 22 game to wildfire relief. Click here to buy tickets.
Donate Life New Mexico Donor Services (benefitting Eastern New Mexico Medical Center)
Where: 1609 University Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102
What:
Hygiene products (soap, deodorants, toothpaste and toothbrushes)
Feminine products
Toiletries
Undergarments
Wipes for adults and babies
Diapers and formula
Clean towels
Clean bedding
Nonperishable food items
When: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday
University of New Mexico students/New Mexico Desert Dogs
Where: 400 Cornell Dr. NW, Albuquerque, NM, 87106, Call 505-269-4356
What:
Blankets
Towels
Toiletries
Contact Solution
Water
Gatorade
Hand Sanitizer
Feminine products
Dog/Cat food
When: by Friday at noon
Donations can also be made using this CashApp QR Code:
UNM MD Undergrad CashApp for Ruidoso evacuees
Edgewood
Where:
Edgewood Town Hall, 171-A State Rd 344, Edgewood, NM
Mountainair Town Hall, 105 Broadway, Mountainair, NM
What:
Water
Toiletries
Baby formula
Diapers and wipes
Pet food
Feminine hygiene products
When: Regular business hours Monday-Friday
Contact: Tracey Master, at 505-269-8178, through Facebook, or at radiopat@aol.com
Las Cruces
NMSU College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences
Where: Gerald Thomas Hall at NMSU, at 940 College Dr., Las Cruces, NM 88003, in the Academics Programs Office, Room 221
What:
Water
Non-perishable items
Clothes
Undergarments
Pet food
Baby food
Toiletries
Socks
When: Now-end of June 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Contact: Academic Programs Office at 575-646-1807.
Mescalero
Inn of the Mountain Gods
Where: Inn of the Mountain Gods Convention Center, 287 Carrizo Canyon Rd, Mescalero, New Mexico, 88340
What:
Water and food
Mescalero Community Center
Where: 107 Sunset Loop, Mescalero, NM 88340
What:
Food/non-perishable items
Water
Clothing
Toiletries
Pet supplies
Specialized infant formula:
Similac Sensitive
Similac NeoSure
Nutrimigen Hypoallergenic
Enfamil NeuroPro
Enfamil A.R.
Parent Choice Sensitive
Basic/Regular Formula (any brand)
Contact: Christina Byers 575-808-2197
Roswell
Salvation Army Southwest Division
Where: Roswell Armory, 1 W. Earl Cummings Loop, Roswell, NM
What:
Personal hygiene items
Baby items
Linens and blankets
Socks and underwear
Bottled water and sports drinks
Nonperishable snack items
Toilet paper and paper towels
Cleaning supplies
Toys and games
Pet food for cats and dogs (**Large donations of pet food should be sent to a food bank or pet rescue.)
When: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Rio Rancho
Where:
Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce, 4201 Crestview Drive SE, off NM528, one block south of Target.
Edit House Productions, LLC, 640 Quantum Road NE, north of the Rio Rancho Police Department.
What:
Blankets
Pillows
Towels
Toiletries and hygiene items
Non-perishable food items
Bottled water
Clothing
Pet supplies and food
Sleeping bags
Bandannas and work gloves
Batteries
When: Both locations are accepting donations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Chamber Offices are accepting donations on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Contacts:
Edit House Productions, LLC | Phone: 505-896-3388 | Email: ed@edithouse.net
Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce | Phone: 505-892-1533 |Email: jerry@rrrcc.org
Silver City
Western New Mexico University
Where: Western New Mexico University Mailroom, Student Memorial Building, 1st floor, 1000 W College Ave, Silver City, NM
What:
Items in demand:
Non-perishable food
Bottled water
Electrolyte drinks and powders
Baby formula
Diapers and wipes
Lip balm
Sunscreen
Shelf-stable snacks
Toiletries and hygiene items
Pet supplies
Clothing
Blankets and pillows
Towels
When: The mailroom is open 8 a.m. 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Donations will be accepted Friday, June 21 through Tuesday, June 25 at 2:00 p.m.
Tularosa
Tularosa Community Center
Where: 1050 N Bookout Rd, Tularosa, NM 88352
What:
Water
Sports drinks
Snacks
Chapstick
Bandanas
Batteries
Flashlights
Travel size items
Socks
Underwear
Pillows
Blankets
Boxed and canned foods
Toiletries
Diapers
Wet wipes
Baby food
Formula
Bottles
Sippy cups
Over the counter medications for adults, kids, infants
When: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Contact: Samantha Chavez, 575-921-8510 and Richard Guilez, 575-415-8752
Donations for livestock
If you have gathered hay to help livestock affected by the South Fork and Salt Fires, please send your contact information and information on available supplies you may have, including the amount and type available, to the New Mexico Department of Agriculture’s Hay Hotline at hayhotline@nmda.nmsu.edu, or call the Agro Guard hotline at 575-646-9191.
Please hold your donations until you have been notified that distribution has been coordinated. Be sure to check out the New Mexico Department of Agriculture’s hay and pasture contact page at https://nmdeptag.nmsu.edu/…/hay-and-pasture-contacts.html. This page was created so landowners and those with hay for sale may list what might be available.
As the fire situation progresses, please call the donation sites to verify that they are still accepting donations. A lot of the donation sites are also looking for volunteers to help sort through goods.
This story will be updated as more information comes in and changes.