Ocampo family continues holiday food drive tradition in Socorro County

The Ocampo family will host its sixth annual holiday food drive on Saturday, Dec. 20, continuing a long-standing tradition of helping families across Socorro County during the holiday season.

The food drive is open on a first-come, first-served basis, and volunteers are available to deliver baskets to families without transportation by calling or texting 575-640-2906.

The drive will begin at 10 a.m. at San Miguel Church and will operate in a drive-through format until noon, or until all food is distributed. 

Following the food drive, San Miguel Church will also host Operation St. Nick, a holiday craft fair beginning at 6 p.m. the same evening, which will include a hot meal.

The Ocampos expect to provide food baskets to at least 250 families, the amount served in 2024, with assistance reaching communities throughout the county. 

Kathleen and Damien Ocampo said the “elves” that make the moment happen extend far beyond Socorro, including students at Arizona State University who come together to make hundreds of goodie-filled stockings at the behest of his sister Dr. Rachel Ocampo-Hoogasian, a professor at the ASU School of Counseling Psychology. 

Kathleen and Damien said they and their four children— Marysa, Isaiah, Ezra, and Israel— took over the food drive in 2019 after the passing of longtime organizer Toby Jaramillo, who ran the effort for 50 years alongside Ernie Jaramillo. 

“We’ve been blessed in so many ways,” Kathleen said. “It’s important to us that our kids understand the holidays are about helping others.”

The Ocampos are long-time educators and said making sure families and children have the resources they need to thrive is a cornerstone of their family’s values. As former volunteers for the Jaramillo food drive, the Ocampos said taking up the reins when the event needed new organizers was a natural next step and that the Jaramillos are still largely involved in the event’s success.

Food baskets typically include a holiday protein such as turkey or ham, along with vegetables, stuffing, bread, potatoes and dessert items. The effort is supported by several community partners and sponsors, including John Brooks, which helps purchase the meat at a wholesale cost using a monetary fund the Ocampos set up months in advance. 

The City of Socorro donates proceeds from its annual Turkey Bingo event, and the Gum and Scholl families are among the biggest private donors to the event, the Ocampos said. Residents, schools and programs such as SCOPE and the Storehouse are also integral in accumulating the donations needed to provide the county with as many food baskets as possible.