New Mexico Credit Unions help families affected by wildfires

New Mexico credit unions are building a support network to help as the largest wildfires in the state's history continue to burn, forcing thousands from their homes and burning nearly 500,000 acres.

A complete list, as well as links to the individual campaigns, can be found here. 

The following credit unions have shared details regarding their efforts to help their communities. 

Del Norte Credit Union is providing financial assistance and relief through emergency loans, payment extensions, fee waivers, and a supply drive.

Guadalupe Credit Union helped another area credit union evacuate and is offering members emergency relief loans, the option to skip payments for existing loans, and free financial coaching sessions. It is also collecting supplies (non-perishable food items, hygiene items, and paper goods) and monetary donations for evacuation sites.

Kirtland Federal Credit Union Kirtland Federal Credit Union is partnering with the New Mexico Veterans Memorial Foundation to distribute monetary donations directly into the hands of veterans displaced by the ongoing wildfires in Northern New Mexico.

Nusenda Credit Union made a $25,000 donation to the NM Fire Relief Emergency Response Fund. The credit union and its employees contributed $10,000 to help with the recovery efforts of April’s “Big Hole” fire. Nusenda teams are collecting relief supplies at their Taos and Santa Fe branches for Food Depot and continue to offer assistance via skip-payments, payment extensions, fee waivers, and loan relief.

Rio Grande Credit Union donated $15,000 to the Emergency Action Fund for New Mexico Fire Relief. Rio Grande also raised an additional $2,400 for fire relief efforts during a branch opening in early May. These funds will be used to help provide meals, clothing, and other items to people who have short- and long-term recovery needs.

Sandia Area Credit Union is collecting and matching donations on behalf of the All Together New Mexico Fund. Grants from All Together New Mexico are used for emergency shelter, food and water distributions, and access to medical support. Sandia Area will match donations up to $15,000. In addition, Sandia Area donated $5,000 directly to World Central Kitchen, an organization partnering with local restaurants in affected communities to serve fresh meals to evacuees and first responders battling the blazes. Sandia Area CU’s Santa Fe branch is also accepting donations of non-perishable food items and hygiene products. 

Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union donated to the New Mexico Fire Relief Emergency Response Fund, which provides meals, clothing, and other necessities to those affected. 

State Employees Credit Union of New Mexico is offering emergency loans and extensions to those impacted by the fires. They are also accepting monetary donations for the “Northern NM Fires” fund and collecting nonperishable food items, bottled water, new and unused blankets, clothing, and hygiene products.