The Rio Rancho Rotary Sunrise Club was granted permission to modify its district grant to become the Rio Rancho Rotary Sunrise Community COVID-19 Support Grant which proposed the use of the existing approved $2,973 in grant funding combined with an additional $750+ in club funding for a total of $3,723+ to be used to purchase prepackaged/boxed meals for distribution to healthcare workers at 3 local hospitals in the Rio Rancho area (Presbyterian Rust Medical Center, Lovelace Westside Hospital, and Sandoval Regional Medical Center).

 

 

 

These meals were purchased from local small businesses/restaurants in the Rio Rancho community.  This project accomplished a number of objectives by supporting area healthcare workers (a major effort of Rio Rancho Rotary Sunrise which hosts an annual nursing scholarship gala) while also helping to sustain local businesses and their employees during this time of reduced economic activity.  The Rio Rancho Rotary Sunrise Club distributed 265 boxed meals to the 3 hospitals on May 1^st and is planning the distribution of another 200+ boxed meals within the next week.  Previously, in April, the club had purchased and donated boxes of Hershey Chocolate Bars to the staffs at all 3 hospital emergency rooms in the hopes of adding a little “sweetness” back into their work.