August 26, 2025
FirstLight Federal Credit Union Sponsors Comfort Casita at DACC
FirstLight Federal Credit Union and Doña Ana Community College (DACC) are partnering to support the Comfort Casita Food Pantry, a vital resource combating food insecurity among students, faculty, and staff.
As part of the collaboration, FirstLight will contribute $200,000 over six years to DACC’s Comfort Casita through the NMSU Foundation. The funding will help sustain pantry operations and support services including DACC’s southern county campuses. In recognition of this investment, the Comfort Casita will bear the name “FirstLight Federal Credit Union Comfort Casita” during the period of sponsorship.
Launched in 2023, the DACC Comfort Casita Pantry provides nutritious food, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, baby items, and school essentials. Since opening, the pantry has distributed more than 10,000 bags of food and has expanded through the main Casita in Alex Sanchez Hall and a network of micro-casitas to four additional DACC locations.
For more than 70 years, FirstLight has demonstrated its deep commitment to the communities it serves by championing financial literacy, supporting education initiatives and scholarships, and partnering with schools and nonprofits to inspire lasting social impact.
FirstLight will also host financial wellness workshops on topics including budgeting, career readiness, savings strategies, homeownership, and retirement planning, further supporting DACC students and community members in building sustainable futures.
Food insecurity continues to affect college students nationwide. According to a survey of students at 27 New Mexico public higher education institutions by the NM Basic Needs Consortium, 62 percent of students surveyed at Doña Ana Community College said they experienced food insecurity. The Comfort Casita receives about 500 visits a month, demonstrating the need for supplemental food for students and their families.
A proud partner of Doña Ana Community College, FirstLight Federal Credit Union embraces the Comfort Casita’s guiding mission: “Together, We End Hunger.” To contribute to the FirstLight Federal Credit Union Comfort Casita,
CLICK HERE.
