Sombra Donates $250,000 in Wellness Products to City of Albuquerque
April 5, 2021
Mayor Tim Keller, Sombra Natural Wellness Products representatives, and city leaders came together last Friday at Sombra’s production facility to announce that Sombra will donate over $250,000 in hand sanitizer and pain relieving gel to the City of Albuquerque. The products will be distributed throughout the community, including to homeless shelters, small businesses, and at various city facilities.
“It’s gestures like these that remind us that we are One Albuquerque, and we work together to lift each other up,” said Mayor Keller. “The past year has been difficult for all of us—especially for our homeless communities—and we’ll be working to get these products directly into their hands.”
Distribution of the large donation will be shared among different city entities and communities, including the Gateway Center, homeless shelter partners, Albuquerque small businesses, and to chambers of commerce. The hand sanitizer will aid in the ongoing fight against the spread of the COVID-19 virus and with hygiene in homeless communities, and the pain relieving gel will be given to shelters and providers for individuals who may be experiencing pain but have not sought medical care.
“Sombra Natural Wellness Products wants to thank New Mexico and all of its residents for over 40 years of support,” said Sombra Natural Wellness Products owner Alfredo Cortazar. “One of the ways we would like to show our gratitude is donating over $250,000 worth of hand sanitizer and pain relieving products to the city’s disadvantaged population, as well as to local businesses. In May we will follow up with a larger gift to our fellow New Mexicans.”
Sombra Natural Wellness Products has been manufacturing in New Mexico for 47 years, including production for other local companies, as well as resellers worldwide. Cortazar founded the company in 1974, living at the business’ location until he could afford to buy a home. The company has three locations within the city, and plans to expand their operation into a 15-acre, 112,000-square-foot property in southeast Albuquerque in the near future.
“Sombra is such an incredible success story for Albuquerque, and shows the generosity and caring nature of this community,” said Economic Development Director Synthia R. Jaramillo. “We’re so proud Mr. Cortazar shaped and grew his enterprise in our city, and that we can call him a client and success story of the Minority Business Development Center as well.”
The Albuquerque MBDA Business Center offers services including client bid opportunity sourcing, help with certifications and registrations, lending and equity proposal packaging, capital lending access, strategic planning consultation, international trade assistance, and training. The Albuquerque MBDA Business Center furthers the Economic Development Department’s ongoing efforts to build an economy that works for everyone, which includes a strategic focus on small businesses owned by minorities.