About Us
Our Mission: Serving the Santa Fe Community with food boxes and other necessities, since 1989.
Our Vision: To address the issues facing the unhoused, food-insecure and vulnerable in our community.
A Brief History of Bienvenidos Outreach
Bienvenidos Outreach, originally founded by Beatrice Nevares, opened its doors in 1989, serving the homeless population. Then in 2008 Susan Tarver took over as Director and is currently in this position to this day.
As the issue of hunger in New Mexico continued to grow, the food pantry expanded its operations in 1996 to include food boxes for those who needed help but were not homeless. Food donations from local private donors, churches, supermarkets and the Food Depot have enabled us since the beginning to further our mission to help those in need in Santa Fe and the surrounding areas.
The Holiday Gift Program for Children is one of our most popular and heart-warming undertakings. Families on the food box program with children 12 and under apply and fill out “wish lists” for each registered child. We give these lists to numerous local churches and community organizations, and they then buy a toy and clothing item for each child. Santa and his firefighter helpers arrive on a fire truck with the wrapped gifts and hand out the presents to the excited children.
OUR IMPACT
Bienvenidos Board Members and Staff Members 2024
At the end of our fiscal year of 2023 we prepared 9,815 food boxes
A Bienvenidos volunteer emerges from a back room, holding a hat and gloves. The man reaches out for them; he seems embarrassed by his dirty fingertips. But the woman tenderly takes his hand.
“Take care of yourself,” she said. “God bless you.”
Stunned, the man said, “Thank you, thank you.” As walks out into the blistering cold, he repeats these words of gratitude: “Thank you, thank you.”
In December 2024 we organized the giving of 1,138 gifts to 569 children
We had 3,893 visitors into our clothing closet.
Our Staff
Susan Tarver
Executive Director
director@bienvenidosfoodpantry.org
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Susan's Bio
Coming Soon
Clarissa Saiz
Assistant Director
assistant@bienvenidosfoodpantry.org
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Clarissa's Bio
Clarissa is a Native New Mexican who has spent most of her life in Santa Fe. She graduated from the Santa Fe School of Massage Shortly after she started volunteering at Bienvenidos Outreach then she was offered the position of Assistant Director where she has helped people in the community for over 5 years.
Alice Montoya
Special Project Manager
board@bienvenidosfoodpantry.org
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Alice's Bio
Alice J. Montoya is Special Project Manager for Bienvenidos Outreach Inc. She retired from the Financial Industry in Banking after 25 years. She has had a strong bond with clients at Bienvenidos Outreach since 2017. She was born in Cuba, New Mexico, and was raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she -has spent her life.
Elizabeth Lara
Pantry Supervisor/Translator
email coming soon
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Elisabeth's Bio
Coming Soon
Michele George
Marketing & Events Manager
events@bienvenidosfoodpantry.org
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Michele's Bio
Michele George is retired from the State Children Youth & Families Department and has worked with various nonprofits and within the hospitality industry. Her background is in contract management, marketing, event facilitation, and human resources. As the Marketing & Event Manager, her role is to promote and bring awareness to the services provided by our agency by tabling events, meeting with community organizations, and collaborating with community partners. An important aspect of her job is also to develop and foster relationships with individuals and organizations to ultimately enhance services provided to our clients.
Our Board of Directors
Chris Gurule
President
Chris' Bio
Chris Gurule is a Senior Branch Manager, AVP for First National 1870. Chris became a volunteer for Bienvenidos in 2020. He quickly jumped on board following his alignment with the mission becoming a board member within a year. He has a strong commitment to volunteer in the community.
Chris' Bio
Chris Gurule is a Senior Branch Manager, AVP for First National 1870. Chris became a volunteer for Bienvenidos in 2020. He quickly jumped on board following his alignment with the mission becoming a board member within a year. He has a strong commitment to volunteer in the community.
John Bienvenu
Vice President
John's Bio
John is an attorney in private practice in Santa Fe. He has been a volunteer and board member with Bienvenidos since 2019 and is deeply committed to its mission. He also has board experience with a number of other entities including the Historic Districts Review Board, the Center for Contemporary Arts, and several privately held companies.
John's Bio
John is an attorney in private practice in Santa Fe. He has been a volunteer and board member with Bienvenidos since 2019 and is deeply committed to its mission. He also has board experience with a number of other entities including the Historic Districts Review Board, the Center for Contemporary Arts, and several privately held companies.
Alice Montoya
Board Secretary/Treasurer
Alice's Bio
Alice's Bio
Mark Padilla
Board Member
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Chris Gurule is a Senior Branch Manager, AVP for First National 1870. Chris became a volunteer for Bienvenidos in 2020. He quickly jumped on board following his alignment with the mission becoming a board member within a year. He has a strong commitment to volunteer in the community.
Mark's Bio
Mark Padilla is a 1977 Graduate of UNM school of pharmacy. He has volunteered at La clinica de La Gente, Youth Shelters, Food Depot, and Bienvenido Outreach.
Daryl Williams
Board Member
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Chris Gurule is a Senior Branch Manager, AVP for First National 1870. Chris became a volunteer for Bienvenidos in 2020. He quickly jumped on board following his alignment with the mission becoming a board member within a year. He has a strong commitment to volunteer in the community.
Daryl's Bio
Daryl is a retired professional, He worked in the transportation industry. His current focus is centered around volunteering and giving back to the community.
Robin Quintana
Board Member
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Chris Gurule is a Senior Branch Manager, AVP for First National 1870. Chris became a volunteer for Bienvenidos in 2020. He quickly jumped on board following his alignment with the mission becoming a board member within a year. He has a strong commitment to volunteer in the community.
Robin's Bio
Robin is originally from California and moved to New Mexico in 1994. She worked in the hospitality business for over 22 years and raised my son here in Santa Fe. She now works for the State of New Mexico with the Department of Game and Fish. She has been a board member with this wonderful non-profit organization Bienvenidos Outreach for about 10 years to help better serve our community.