News

UUSA Donates $7,500 to Support Cissy’s Food Ministry

14 February 2022

On Thursday, February 10, UUSA presented Cissy Diaz from Cissy’s Food Ministry with a check for $7,500 to support the non-profit organization as they settle into their new building.

Cissy’s Food Ministry feeds the Hobbs community and provides 150 meals to senior citizens and families in need each week in addition to countless other meals and supplies provided to those who stop by the food pantry. The organization also runs a thrift store and the proceeds from the sales go toward providing provisions to the food pantry.

Having recently purchased a new building, Cissy’s has continued to broaden the services it provides to the Hobbs community. In addition to the food pantry and thrift store, the organization now offers an after school program Monday through Friday from 2 to 5:30pm. The program caters to students’ homework needs so that when they go home they can have family time. Cissy’s is now also able to rent out event space, and the income generated goes directly back to supporting the community.

“Seven years ago, we started serving our community out of a dirt-floor property. Now, we have our own home,” Cissy shared. “Our new pantry is twice the old size and we have ample space. We definitely have room to grow here.”

UUSA has worked with Cissy’s in the past—most recently during the 2020 9/11 Day of Service project, when UUSA volunteers helped the Cissy’s team organize donations to the thrift shop and gave a facelift to the old space. According to Cissy and her team, that effort helped double the organization’s sales.

“We are so thankful for all UUSA has blessed us with,” Cissy stated. “What we’re doing here—I just think it’s so needed, and this will go a long way towards helping us become a true community outreach center.”

For those looking for volunteer opportunities in the community, Cissy also shared that the organization is seeking both a new treasurer and new Board members.

Pictured: Lisa Hardison, UUSA, and Cissy Diaz, Cissy’s Food Ministry