LAS CRUCES - The arrival of about 25 motorcycles Friday afternoon announced the donation of 30,000 non-perishable meals for migrants being processed at the former U.S. Army Reserve Center on Brown Road.

Las Cruces Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Daniels, the emergency operations commander on scene, said the donation was a welcome surprise.

The bikers arrived ready to unload five or six pallets' worth of meals from Pack Away Hunger, an Indiana-based nonprofit that distributes meals in pouches that can be prepared with hot water. The organization delivers to countries worldwide.

They arrived without announcement, and with the help of migrants, who immediately lined up to assist, the meals were unloaded in minutes.

Their first stop had been the nearby transitional living community, Camp Hope, where they delivered 5,000 meals.

City spokesman Udell Vigil told the Sun-News the motorcycle clubs at the scene included the Bandidos, Soldados, Squad, Riga, and Guardians of Children.

Victoria Fisk, a former educator who lives in Las Cruces, told the Sun-News the donation came about after she contacted a friend who worked with Pack Away Hunger.

As it happened, a large shipment was being organized for sites in Guatemala and Honduras, she said, and the organization arranged to send some meals to Las Cruces.

"This went so fast," Fisk said. "We literally put it together a week ago."

Daniels said that Border Patrol continued to release the migrants, who are legally present in the United States while applying for political asylum, at the facility Friday, with 216 on the premises at lunchtime. Daily drop-offs of asylum seekers have been ongoing in Las Cruces since April 12.

During a visit on Friday, the guests, including families with young children, were observed helping to carry the numerous cartons of meals to a trailer for storage, while others were mopping the floor of the cafeteria area, where green cots were arranged in rows, as well as bathroom and shower areas.

In an office wing, volunteers were seen assisting the migrants with travel arrangements to stay with relatives or sponsoring households during their legal process.

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More than 5,000 asylum applicants have been released in Las Cruces since April 12. People requiring overnight accommodations are transported to shelters in El Paso, while the Brown Road facility and local churches are prepared to accommodate people when El Paso facilities are full.

Fisk said asking her friend if Pack Away Hunger could help seemed natural enough. "I was a single mom that struggled for many many years," she said, "and something I always taught my students is that it’s so rewarding to give back."

Algernon D'Ammassa can be reached at 575-541-5451, adammassa@lcsun-news.com or @AlgernonActor on Twitter.

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