TARA Food Pantry
The TARA Food Pantry opened its doors to the community in January of 2020. Fresh produce, meats, canned and boxed goods, dog and cat food and toiletries are offered. Families in need may take advantage of the pantry once a week when it is open. The pantry is funded by donations and grants. The pantry is an all volunteer staff.
Currently we are working hard to revamp operations as a new non profit is being formed to move forward. The pantry is located on the lower level of the TARA Community Center.
​
​
​
MISSION OVERVIEW
Our mission is to strengthen the local food system in our community and our surrounding towns. (Tiffany, Allison, Rosa, Arboles, to Chimney Rock, Middle Mesa-Sambrito,NM) by providing local grown produce and community services through community collaboration, supporting local farmers, and promoting food literacy to empower healthier and more sustainable food choices.
-
Strong community engagement through volunteer participation enhancing operational support and loyalty.
-
Exclusive focus on local grown produce supporting sustainability and appealing to health-conscious consumers.
-
Educational workshops that increase food literacy and empower members making the co-op a community hub.
-
Partnerships with local farmers ensure fresh, seasonal produce and strengthen the local economy.
-
Nonprofit status allows access to grants and donations that can support growth and program development.
​
TARA's Helping Hands is to empower our surrounding communities.
Providing accessible, sustainably sourced products, local grown produce while fostering cooperative values. Founded to promote transparency, local sourcing, and sustainable agriculture. Our inclusive approach creates opportunities for education, volunteering, and collaboration, strengthening the fabric of our local communities and its residents.
Through inclusive member participation the beautiful culture, traditions and history will be carried on for generations to come.
Aimed at fostering community engagement. These offerings include affordable, educational workshops that will be at the core of teaching sustainability. Volunteers will be on the front line of community-supported agriculture shares and harvesting, the food pantry and farm-to-table events. Fundraising and other events will be geared to having a diverse opportunity for everyone to participate, young and old alike.
Each service/program is designed to build a stronger local food system while empowering members with knowledge and participation opportunities.
Food Pantry Program Organizer
​
Hello my name is Angelica Marquez-Lucero, I have lived in Arboles most of my life, as I was raised here. I came back to Arboles in 2005. I little broken and lost. I started cleaning houses, catering, working with children and food service industry is what I've always loved. I met my husband in 2007, In March 2016 I opened a little Cafe in the local gas station. Everything seemed great, until life unfortunately
hit us with a fast ball, a week after we opened my husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer, they gave him 6mo. to live, but he only made it 3 weeks, my father who was also battling cancer would be right behind him 4mo. later, and the loss didn't stop there. I did my best to keep it together, but eventually it fell apart. There's been moments I hate being here, in this place, because I swore to my self I'd never return home. Thing is, had I not returned home, I would of never met my husband, we have 3 beautiful children. Fast forward until now, I have a forth child with a man that I always had a crush on, lol ..life might throw a few fast balls here and there, but ultimately I am thankful to be here. Arboles is more than just my home town, its the place, where people of this community raised me and made who I am today. I was taken in by so many caring, and loving individuals, family and friends, from every background, if it wasn't for them, I can't say I would actually be here today. Broken and alone they still welcomed me back home with open arms. The saying "it takes a village to raise a child" is true, because I'm living proof of it.-Angelica
Thank you for your generosity! We are currently welcoming donations of non-perishable food items and personal hygiene products to support those in need. Your contributions can make a significant difference in our community. Together, we can help ensure everyone has access to essential resources.
​
​
​
You can also support us by sending donations through our Amazon wishlist. Your contributions help us continue our mission and make a difference. We truly appreciate your support!
Food Pantry Volunteers
Describe your image
Describe your image
ENGLISH VERSION
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
​
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
​
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email: program.intake@usda.gov
​
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
​
​
Spanish Version Versión en español
De acuerdo con la ley federal de derechos civiles y las normas y políticas de derechos civiles del Departamento de Agricultura de EE. UU. (USDA), esta institución tiene prohibido discriminar por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo (incluida la identidad de género y la orientación sexual), discapacidad, edad, o represalia o represalia por actividad anterior de derechos civiles.
​
La información del programa puede estar disponible en otros idiomas además del inglés. Las personas con discapacidades que requieran medios alternativos de comunicación para obtener información del programa (p. ej., Braille, letra grande, cinta de audio, lenguaje de señas estadounidense), deben comunicarse con la agencia estatal o local responsable que administra el programa o el Centro TARGET del USDA al (202) 720- 2600 (voz y TTY) o comuníquese con USDA a través del Servicio Federal de Retransmisión al (800) 877-8339.
​
Para presentar una queja por discriminación en el programa, el Demandante debe completar un Formulario AD-3027, Formulario de queja por discriminación en el programa del USDA, que se puede obtener en línea en: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR %20P-Complaint-Form 0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, desde cualquier oficina del USDA, llamando al (866) 632-9992, o escribiendo una carta dirigida al USDA. La carta debe contener el nombre, la dirección, el número de teléfono y una descripción escrita de la supuesta acción discriminatoria del denunciante con suficiente detalle para informar al Subsecretario de Derechos Civiles (ASCR) sobre la naturaleza y la fecha de la supuesta violación de los derechos civiles. El formulario o carta AD-3027 completado debe enviarse al USDA antes de:
1. correo: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; o
2. fax: (833) 256-1665 o (202) 690-7442; o
3. correo electrónico: program.intake@usda.gov
Esta institución es un proveedor de igualdad de oportunidades
​
​
Donations to TARA are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by Colorado law. TARA Community Center and Historical Society is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and your contributions may be eligible for tax benefits. Please consult with a tax advisor for specific guidance regarding your donation and its tax-deductible status.
