Contact: Dustin White, 800-642-7167

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Dec. 6, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- Sunwest Trust, Inc. employees participated in the United Way of Central New Mexico's "Make a Difference Day" this past October 25th. Amazingly, in their 4-hour shift, they were able to package 4900 pounds of pasta for needy families at the Road Runner Food Bank.

A spokesman for the United Way said, "Make a Difference Day, is the largest national day of helping others, and is celebrated each year on the fourth Friday and Saturday of October and it has become the nation's largest day of volunteering, thanks to the passion of millions of volunteers." Sunwest Trust chose to help the Roadrunner Food Bank, which along with their partners distributed food to more than 232,000 children, adults and seniors last year.

A spokesman for Sunwest Trust said, "As part of the company culture we strive to instill giving back to our community." The spokesman added, "This type of outreach coincides with the charitable goals of the Sunwest Trust culture. Our monthly charity outreach allows two employees to donate $1,000 to a local charity of their choice. However, rather than just giving cash we will contact the charity of choice and find out what they need and then donate $1,000 in some sort of goods. In addition, to the monetary donation, we also highly encourage our employees to go to the charity to volunteer for half a day. We give each employee a half day off with pay when they volunteer."

The Sunwest Trust employees who volunteered repackaged bulk pasta that is shipped to the Roadrunner food processing and distribution facility in large boxes, where it is measured out and repackaged into 3-pound bags for easier distribution to the many families they serve. During their 4 hour shift, Sunwest Trust was able to package almost 2 ½ tons of pasta.

A video of the event can be viewed here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZGmUisGX8E. "Hopefully, it will encourage other employee groups to participate next year."

About Sunwest Trust, Inc.
Sunwest Trust was formed in December 2003, and received its trust powers from the State of New Mexico Financial Institutions Division. The company has both the unique ability to act as an escrow agent, and a custodian for IRAs.

Over the past decade, acting as a custodian, Sunwest Trust has helped IRA investors self direct their funds into alternative investments such as: condos, real estate contracts and private mortgages.