In the fall of 2009, Help End Abuse for Life (HEAL) launched the release of the HEAL a la Heart signature pasta sauce and cookbook. The sale of the sauce and the cookbook went to support the Nest Domestic Violence shelter in Ruidoso Downs. Two years later, many cases of the sauce remain but with a rapidly approaching expiration date.
When approached by their Executive Director Coleen Widell, the HEAL Board of Directors enthusiastically endorsed sharing the remaining sauce with the Lincoln County Food Bank in Ruidoso Downs. “It was such a natural thing for us to do, given our two agencies history of working together. Many times the Food Bank stands ready to provide “getting started” boxes of food and pantry staples for women who are leaving the Nest and getting into their own place,” Widell said.
Jamie Estes is the President of the HEAL Board of Directors and has worked with charities for a good long time. He strongly supported the donation. Estes knows how rare it is to have a nonprofit organization like HEAL be in a position to help another charitable organization.
Perry Champion, KBUY morning show radio host and supporter of The Nest, had a brilliant idea on how to share the remaining sauce with the community and also benefit the shelter. Champion contacted Jana Townsend, General Manager of TR’s Market in Alto. She agreed to sell the sauce on her check-out counter.
Townsend, who has been with TR’s Market for the past eleven years, is excited to be helping the Nest. Every dollar earned from the sale of the sauce goes right back to support the shelter, and sales have been surprisingly brisk.
TR’s Market is a country store on Sun Valley Road in Alto, catering mainly to local and long-time residents. Townsend knows most customers by name and their preferred purchases. She was thrilled to be able to spread the word about the Nest among her regular customers. “They are getting a great sauce and helping an important charity at the same time. They understand that. They’re happy and I get the chance to share with them some of the many services the Nest offers to domestic violence victims in our community.”
On a chilly Tuesday morning this week, customer Aimee Mendoza stopped by to purchase two jars of the signature pasta sauce. Townsend said, “On a day like today, there is nothing like the smell of a big pot of spaghetti sauce on the stove.”
TR’s Market is also selling the Lucky 13 spice blend created by Champion for two dollars per bag. Champion, founder of the Sierra Blanca Spice Company, is donating one dollar from every bag sold to the Nest. For more information about Champion’s spice line, contact nmspices@hotmail.com or visit the Sierra Blanca Spice Company on Ebay.
To learn more about the Nest, find “HEAL and the Nest” on Facebook and “like” the page.
Pictured are TR’s Market General Manager Jana Townsend and customer Aimee Mendoza with the HEAL a la Heart Pasta Sauce.