Security Service Federal Credit Union's Charitable Foundation recently donated $2,500 to Pueblo Community Soup Kitchen.

The donation will be used to purchase food and disposable items like napkins, plasticware and containers. The nonprofit serves more than 100 meals a day, six days a week in Pueblo and sends food out to the towns of Boone and Avondale.

“As a small non-profit organization, we survive on donations,” said Helen Benavidez, director for Pueblo Community Soup Kitchen. “It’s a donation like this from the Security Service Charitable Foundation that means we are able to feed and support those in need."

The organization serves anywhere from 115 to 200 clients on a weekly basis. In 2021, Pueblo Community Soup Kitchen served more than 77,000 meals.

“The poverty rate in Pueblo County continues to be higher than the state average year over year,” said Brandon Blanchard, senior vice president of member service in the Mountain Region for Security Service Federal Credit Union. “We’re excited to help this organization feed those in need and give them access to a hot meal when they might not otherwise have one.”The Security Service Charitable Foundation helps further the credit union’s corporate goal of community service by contributing to deserving organizations and causes in the credit union's market area.

Pueblo Express Employment Professionals expand to New Mexico

Pueblo Express Employment Professionals is expanding its staffing franchise to New Mexico.

Express Employment is a staffing franchise that helps local job seekers find employment and area businesses find qualified employees. Derrick Martinez plans to continue the legacy the Pueblo office has maintained for the past 36 years at its 734 W. Sixth St. location, while his business partner Manuel Santos will oversee the Albuquerque office.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Let's talk business: Pueblo credit union donates to soup kitchen