The United Way of Eddy County sent out some positive news this weekend mentioning the impact of its Project Feeding Families Program. According to Executive Director Linda Dodd, since Nov. 1, the organization gave out more than 300 food vouchers for holiday meals, distributed more than 35,000 pounds of food to more than 200 families, provided essentials to the homeless population in Carlsbad and provided food for Christmas meals to be delivered to the elderly in Artesia. This was all part of the Project Feeding Families Program.
“United Way of Eddy County staff, donors, volunteers and our entire community came together in an unprecedented way,” wrote Linda Dodd. “We helped our neighbors who were most impacted by the global pandemic and economic downturn get the relief and support they needed.”
Linda said the organization recognizes that the many needs will continue this year, and they are already hard at work to do even more. Please keep up the good work.
Thanks as well to Chevron, who recently contributed $120,000 to the Carlsbad Community Foundation in support of the Chevron Catalyst Fund. Chevron Catalyst Grants were awarded to 19 local organizations through a process that began in October. Recipients were: Carlsbad Area Artist Association, Carlsbad Battered Families Shelter, Carlsbad Community of Hope Center, Carlsbad Community Theatre, Carlsbad Lifehouse, Inc., Carlsbad Literacy Program, Carlsbad MainStreet Project, Cavern City Child Advocacy Center, Christian Women’s Job Corps of Carlsbad, Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Eddy County, Eddy County CASA, ESA Packs for Hunger, Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest, Golden Services, Jefferson Montessori Academy, Noah’s Ark Animal Refuge, Inc., Southeast New Mexico Community Action Corporation, Southeastern New Mexico Historical Society and the United Way of Eddy County.
COVID Update: There were 42 new positive cases of COVID-19 reported for Eddy County on Friday as well as, sadly, three COVID-related deaths reported by the New Mexico Department of Health. On Thursday, there were 44 new positive cases reported and two COVID-related deaths reported for Eddy County. Eddy County has now had a total of 4,586 total positive cases.
The state updated its two-week gating criteria report the past Wednesday. Eddy County’s positivity rate went from 19 to 21.45 percent, while cases per 100,000 went from 87 down to 86.5. Catron County met the requirement to move into the Yellow Level.
The state Human Services Department has announced that it received more than $5 million in federal funding to be used for $300 one-time payments for those who are behind on their utility payments. Eligible households are being identified by working with the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Energy assistance payments will be issued directly to utility vendors on behalf of eligible households.
Sincerely,
Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway