The recent fires have been devastating — not only to the forests and animals, but to the firefighters of New Mexico. The Rio Rancho Fire Department on Southern is no different.

Colleen Hughes and some of her staff from Natural Grocers donated gift bags containing hand sanitizer, soap and healthy snacks for the crew.

Nutritional Health Coach Colleen Hughes from the Natural Grocers in Rio Rancho knew about the tough times the crew had been through and decided to act on it. Natural Grocers donated an assortment of personal supplies on Friday June 3.

“We didn’t expect it. It was a great help to everyone at the station,” said Battalion Chief Ryan Floersheim who is a firefighter and paramedic for the station.

Floersheim said that most of the station couldn’t buy groceries that week because they were so busy. The fire department doesn’t always have access to healthy food and self care items.

“It was a great opportunity to help out our heroes,” Hughes said.

Hughes said she was just following the Natural Grocers’ mission to give back to the community.

“Natural Grocers has been helping people since it was founded in 1955,” Hughes said.