Belen Fire Department, Food Pantry Seek 1,000 Pounds in February Drive

Belen Fire Department is teaming with Belen Food Pantry for a month-long canned food drive in February with the goal of collecting 1,000 pounds of nonperishable food to support local families in need. The campaign aims to top last year’s total of 800 pounds, a 25 percent increase in the target weight.

The drive runs February 1 to February 28. Residents may drop off donations at the Belen Fire Department, 121 S. 5th St., Belen, NM, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. seven days a week. Organizers ask that all donations be unopened and not expired to ensure safety and usability for pantry clients.

Volunteer organizers highlighted specific items most needed to fill pantry shelves and provide balanced meals for households. The list of priority items includes canned vegetables and fruit, canned beans and dry beans such as pinto, black and kidney, canned meats including tuna and chicken or canned luncheon meat, soup and chili, peanut butter, pasta and rice, boxed meals and shelf-stable milk. Donors who bring a mix of proteins, staples and shelf-stable dairy substitutes will help the pantry assemble nutritionally varied food boxes.

The campaign is community-run and intended to reinforce local food security networks in Valencia County. By setting a measurable target, Belen Fire Department and Belen Food Pantry are seeking not only donations but a clear metric of community engagement. Hitting 1,000 pounds would represent a meaningful uptick in resources available to families served by the pantry compared with last year’s 800-pound haul.

For Belen residents, the drive provides a convenient, short-term way to respond to local needs. The daily drop-off hours aim to accommodate working schedules and make participation possible for people across the town and surrounding areas. Ensuring that donated goods are unopened and within date ranges helps the pantry reduce waste and speed distribution to households that rely on consistent pantry availability.

The drive also reinforces a broader local practice of mutual aid: small donations from many households can add up to tangible relief for neighbors facing food instability. After February 28, organizers will tally the total pounds collected and distribute items through Belen Food Pantry operations. Residents who want to contribute should bring nonperishable items to 121 S. 5th St. during the posted hours and help the community move from last year’s 800 pounds toward the new 1,000-pound goal.