Donations and support to organizations and places like hospitals, emergency services, animal shelters, homeless shelters, relief funds, small businesses and more are in high demand these days.

With mass hoarding and personal protective equipment (PPE) difficult to sufficiently provide in places that need it most, supplies across the nation are being rationed.

This fear is something the Observer understands, but we are Rio Rancho and know how to help our neighbors.

Throughout the quarantine, the Observer has seen our neighbors help one another in amazing ways.

We have seen community members like Earl Waid from the Rio Rancho Rotary Club buy food from Joe’s Pasta house and serve lunch to Rio Rancho grocery-store workers at Smith’s and both Albertsons in Rio Rancho. We have seen small-business owners like Vic Briseno from Slice and Dice Pizzeria supplying families with milk and eggs.

On April 16, social-distancing parades outside of Presbyterian Rust Medical Center and UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center honored medical staff in the hospitals. Signs with encouraging words and thanks for our essential workers are displayed all over Rio Rancho.

The Observer also appreciates all those who have stayed home.

We are proud to serve a community that has done so much for its members.

The Observer is calling on the willing and able to donate and help where they can.

Our hospitals and animal shelters need donations.

Watermelon Mountain Ranch needs antibacterial cleaning supplies and pet food.

To donate to the no-kill animal shelter, visit wmranch.org/donate-1 or set up an appointment to drop off supplies by calling 980-6354. People can also mail donations to 1380 NM 528 SE, Ste. 374, Rio Rancho, NM 87124.

Animal Humane New Mexico’s biggest need is contributions to its pet food bank at its main campus in Albuquerque, at 615 Virginia St. SE. People can drop off food there.

This bank will provide pet food to families in need during the COVID-19 crisis, said Kelsey Gutierrez, senior adoptions and admissions manager.

Also, to donate to the Rio Rancho Animal Resource Center, call 891-5075.

People can give any supplies to Sandoval Regional Medical Center by calling 994-7400 and leaving their name, company name, phone number and type of items to be donated. The mailbox is checked daily and calls are returned in a timely manner, said spokeswoman Cindy Foster.​

Presbyterian Healthcare Services spokeswoman Alyssa Armijo said PHS welcomes any contributions of unused, professional-grade PPE, including masks, gloves and gowns. Handmade items are not currently being accepted.

To donate, call 923-8950 or email [email protected].

Sandoval County is accepting donations of any PPE for poll workers May 5 through June 2. The county will have almost 31 polling places, said Sandoval County spokesman Stephen Montoya .

The public can help by emailing [email protected].

Haven House domestic violence shelter is looking for hand sanitizer and homemade PPE. For questions about donations, contact Josh Ortiz at 404-9365, ext. 104, or email at [email protected].

We’ll get through this by pulling together!