News Release

Oct. 11, 2013
Low-Income Residents Invited to Area's Largest Assistance Fair

Albuquerque: PNM and the City of Albuquerque will bring together more than 40 helping agencies for a one-day assistance event at St. Pius, 5301 Saint Josephs Drive NW, in Albuquerque on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This family-oriented event will provide limited income and income challenged residents with a multitude of resources and one-stop access to a wide range of resources.

"Many people who find themselves in difficult situations often don't know where to turn," says Maddie Martinez-Vega, PNM low-income program manager. "This assistance fair will help families see all the ways they can get help and everything our city has to offer."

People facing even the most difficult situations can find solutions thanks to the programs offered by PNM and the many community partners.

Agencies will offer help with housing, foreclosures, electric bills, food, medical care, legal aid, and property taxes. Services designed for seniors and people with developmental disabilities will be on hand as well.

This year offers new opportunities and more ways to learn about our community. New items include free flu shots, on-site financial budgeting classes, low-cost pet adoptions and reduced cost veterinarian services.

Children will also have the opportunity to meet McGruff the Crime Dog, get an up-close view of a fire truck and check out exotic animals from Zoo to You.

PNM will offer help with electric bills for families experiencing an emergency, through the PNM Good Neighbor Fund.

To apply for assistance through the PNM Good Neighbor Fund, you must bring proof of income for all adults in the home, identification for everyone in the family and your past-due PNM electric bill.

Help and Assistance:

Utility Bill, Housing or Foreclosure Resources:

  1. Albuquerque Housing Authority: Housing assistance to low-income families, elderly and disabled households.
  2. Bernalillo County Treasurer and Assessor: Property tax savings programs, applications for value freeze program and general property valuation information.
  3. Central New Mexico Housing: Weatherization and energy efficiency programs for low income qualified homes.
  4. City of Albuquerque Homeowner Rehabilitation: Information about home repair help and rehabilitation loans.
  5. CLNkids (Cuidando Los Ninos): Programs for families facing homelessness.
  6. Foreclosure Avoidance Options: Help to avoid home foreclosures.
  7. Heritage Home Healthcare & Hospice: Hospice needs and programs for caregivers.
  8. PNM Good Neighbor Fund: Help with past due PNM bills for families facing emergency situations.
  9. PNM Energy Efficiency Programs: Free energy saving light bulbs and information on rebate programs.
  10. United South Broadway Corporation: Home foreclosure counseling and assistance.

Food and Healthcare and Nutrition Resources:

  1. Amigos Y Amigas: Medicaid applications and recertification for low-income families with children.
  2. Project Share: Serving dinner to people who need a hot meal
  3. Public Health Department: Free flu shots to the first 700 people.
  4. Rio Grande Food Project: Second largest food pantry in Albuquerque.
  5. The Storehouse: Help with food and clothing.
  6. Women, Infants and Children (WIC): food programs for pregnant and breastfeeding women and young children.

Safety, Public and City Services:

  1. Albuquerque Police Department: Crime prevention, child fingerprinting and McGruff the Crime Dog
  2. Albuquerque Fire Department: Fire prevention and safety information. Free smoke detectors to the first 1,000 families.
  3. American Red Cross: Emergency home repair program information
  4. New Mexico Attorney General Consumer Protection Division: Consumer protection information and scam alerts.
  5. City of Albuquerque Department of Senior Affairs: Variety of programs for senior citizens.

Children and Families:

  1. City of Albuquerque Division of Child and Family Development: Parenting and family services information.
  2. Dept. of Family and Community Services: Toys for Tots registration, assistance with rent, utilities and emergency food boxes.
  3. Family Solutions Methodist Children's Home: Variety of services for families including case-management.
  4. PB & J Family Services: Counseling, support, parenting education and case management for families.
  5. Youth Development Inc.: After-school programs, GED classes, workforce programs and job training.

Education and Job Training:

  1. Albuquerque GED: Enroll in classes and earn a GED.
  2. Goodwill Industries: Job development, job placement, senior employment, and supportive services for veteran families.
  3. New Mexico Workforce Connection: No-cost employment services, training, veteran services, resume writing and help with the unemployment process.

Other Resources:

  1. Animal Humane of New Mexico: Pet care services for income eligible people
  2. Celebrate Recovery: Equips families with tools to deal with life's challengers
  3. Lucy Paws: Pet adoption, spay/neuter clinics and animal care
  4. NM Legal Aid: Help and information for civil issues for income qualified
  5. Pegasus Legal Services: legal services for children
  6. Safe House: Domestic violence and safe house programs
  7. Safe Link Wireless: free cell phone and plans for qualified persons
  8. The Salvation Army: Various help programs for seniors and families
  9. The Arc of New Mexico: help for individuals with disabilities
  10. Wings Ministry: Support for families with incarcerated members

With headquarters in Albuquerque, PNM is the largest electricity provider in New Mexico, serving 500,000 customers in dozens of communities across the state. PNM is a subsidiary of PNM Resources, an energy holding company also headquartered in Albuquerque. For more information, visit PNM.com.