STATE
Couple donates $10,000 to Belen food pantry
Donations also help cover cost of operating the organization, including rent other expenses
Published
BELEN 鈥� After 50 years of working at a Downtown Albuquerque law firm, Jan Valentine is spending her retirement enjoying the quieter things in life 鈥� gardening, growing vegetables and flowers, and finding ways to give back to the community.
That desire to help recently led Valentine to donate $10,000 to the Belen Area Food Pantry, a contribution that surprised pantry staff and came at a time when the need for assistance continues to grow.
Valentine, a native New Mexican who was born and raised in Farmington, has lived in Belen for about 20 years. She retired in April.
She and her husband, John Nesslage, live on 2 1/2 acres, where they grow flowers and vegetables.
Valentine credits her parents with teaching her to save.
鈥淢y parents always said to pay myself first,鈥� she said.
She followed that advice throughout her five-decade long career. After retiring and rolling over her retirement funds, Valentine realized she had accumulated enough savings to live comfortably.
鈥淚 just found that I had more than enough for me,鈥� Valentine said. 鈥淚t was the right thing to do, to provide something for this community.鈥�
That鈥檚 when she read about the Belen Area Food Pantry.
The amount caught pantry staff by surprise.
Joe Portio, the organization鈥檚 president, initially thought the donation was $1,000. When he learned it was actually $10,000, Portio said the reaction was immediate.
鈥淪he goes, 鈥楴o, no, it鈥檚 $10,000,鈥欌�� Portio recalled.
The news left Portio herself feeling emotional.
鈥淚 was blown away,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t still gives me ... it鈥檚 exciting.鈥�
For the Belen Area Food Pantry, the donation provides support at a critical time. The pantry serves about 1,400 families, and rising grocery prices have increased the pressure on households already struggling to make ends meet.
The pantry鈥檚 expenses extend beyond food. Donations also help cover the cost of operating the organization, including rent for its building and other expenses necessary to keep the pantry running.
For many families, food assistance is only part of the challenge. Some are also struggling with rent, electricity and other basic household expenses.
The $10,000 donation was described as one of the pantry鈥檚 more substantial contributions.
For Valentine, though, the amount was less important than the opportunity to help.
鈥淚 was just an average person,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut I want to help. I want to make a difference.鈥�
The 近距离内射合集-Bulletin is a sister newspaper of the Journal.
