By Truett Jackson
Staff Reporter
Jesse James Sanchez III is a full-time employee at CNM. He can be found, most days, answering calls for the college’s main line, assisting students with anything from getting a parking permit to applying for financial aid.
In addition to this work and his schedule of classes, he can be found at CNM’s main campus library every week, where he never misses an opportunity to assist with the school’s Food Pantry offering.
“I’m the same as the people that come in here,” Sanchez explained. “I’m also a student. I get that things are stressful and hectic, and there are ways that CNM does a lot. It puts the community in community college.”
Sanchez, who has been volunteering for over a year with the pantry, explained that his duties include stocking incoming purchases and donations, loading them into bags, and being a friendly, familiar face to his peers at CNM.
“We have places where you can come and get food weekly,” Sanchez Said. “I’ve always seen the good that comes out of a food pantry.”
CNM opened its Food Pantry in December of 2021on Main campus, serving 100-200 students each week. The pantries expanded to satellite campus locations, and in 2023 over 1,000 students visited the pantries. In 2024, pantries expanded to include community fridges at each location.
“The food pantry is a service that is accessible to all students that provide a CNM student I.D. or number,” said Isaac Coronado, a Student Ambassador who works with Wellness CNM.
“This resource is completely free. It doesn’t cost anything except a few moments of your time. A student has the option to pick from a large variety of non-perishables and can take home a bag of produce,” explained Coronado, “Here on Main campus, we run this pantry every Wednesday. The other pantries that we have are at the Westside and South Valley campuses.”
Since adding the Food Pantry to the list of resources under the Wellness CNM umbrella last year, the organization says that it is just one of the myriad ways to connect with students and help to ensure they have all they need to thrive at the school while they work toward a better future.
“Wellness CNM is a great resource. So many students are forced to pay for classes.
Having fresh veggies and things to eat throughout the week is a great resource,” Coronado said. “Coming from a community that has difficulties that we’re all aware of, we’re trying to help with those. Whether it’s housing, clothing, transportation… we’re going to assist you, my department specifically, in those difficulties.”
Coronado explained that the Food Pantry is open to all students, staff, and faculty at CNM. He also wants people to reach out to him or his colleagues regarding any areas they may have need for a helping hand.
“Being a part of Wellness CNM, this is exactly what we embody. When you schedule a meeting with us, whether it’s for basic needs or mental health, we will provide a safe and confidential environment,” said Coronado.
The Food Pantry at CNM’s main campus is open to all CNM students every Wednesday during full-term semesters from 3-6 p.m. and is located inside the library. For more information, as well as hours and dates for other campuses, contact Wellness CNM at 505-224-3106.
