A good friend always has your back, and Laredo College welding student Kimberly Ramirez proved just that after securing a donation of $2,500 worth of necessities to the Palomino Pantry.
Ramirez’s employer, KEDPLASMA, donated more than 50 bags filled to the brim with food, hygiene products and other necessities to distribute to Laredo College students and alumni.
A donation this size was made possible after a chance meeting between Kimberly and one of her now close friends. Although they met recently at Laredo College, their friendship quickly flourished when they realized they were the only women in their class and began sharing rides to and from LC.
During one of their many conversations, her friend revealed that she goes to the Palomino Pantry from time to time. Ramirez took this to heart.
While at work, she learned about an internal initiative at KEDPLASMA in which branches within the company were asked to nominate organizations that would benefit the most from a $5,000 donation.
Ramirez immediately thought of her friend and advocated for half the donation to support the pantry. The other half was donated to a local animal shelter.
Fortunately, the company selected the nominations from Ramirez’s branch, securing the donation.
“I love the fact that we are able to do this,” Ramirez said. “I hope this is one of many more donations.”
The Palomino Pantry reflects Ramirez’s philosophy on friendship by continuing to have the backs of students and the community as the new semester approaches.
“It’s great to see students and alumni out in the community giving back to the college where they once studied,” LC Director of Student Life Pedro Rivera, whose department oversees the pantry, said. “It’s a real full circle moment.”
For more information on donating to the Palomino Pantry, contact the Office of Student Life at studentlife@laredo.edu or (956) 721-5179.