A Tucson humanitarian organization that has spent more than two decades leaving water and food on migrant trails is hosting a community potluck this week, offering locals a chance to meet volunteers and learn about their work along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The organization said the event is meant to offer a moment of connection and solidarity during a difficult time for immigrant communities. The potluck will be held Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Historic Y, 738 N. 5th Ave.

Attendees are invited to bring a dish to share. Water gallons will be available for people to decorate with messages of hope that desert aid volunteers will later leave at water drop stations along migrant trails. Screen-printed T-shirts will also be available by donation.

At 7 p.m., No More Deaths volunteers will hold a question-and-answer session for those curious about the organization's programs or ways to get involved.

"This feels especially important right now when across the country, we are seeing mass mobilizations for immigrant rights and push back against Immigrations and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Borders Protection," said longtime volunteer Aryanna Tischler, who serves as the group's social media and volunteer coordinator. "As people who live and work in the borderlands, we know the horrors of ICE and CBP very well and feel it is important to take time to gather with one another, to remind us how important community is."

No More Deaths was started in 2004 with the mission of ending death and suffering in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands.

"We do this through direct aid for people crossing by operating a humanitarian aid station, leaving water and food on migrant trails, and running a missing migrant hotline," Tischler said. "So much of the work of No More Deaths is done by people who live locally in Southern Arizona and experience border militarization on a day-to-day basis."

Tischler said the group is always looking for new ways to engage with community members, whether that be tabling at events, participating in talks, or hosting events.

"This feels especially important in this moment as immigrant rights remain deeply threatened by the U.S. government," Tischler said.

In a newsletter entry, a No More Deaths volunteer who goes by Operator 17 described the work of the organization's Missing Migrant Hotline, which receives hundreds of calls each month from people across the Americas searching for missing loved ones.

As border crossings have slowed under recent administrative changes, the volunteer wrote, many calls now focus on detention facilities, with operators frequently using the ICE detainee locator website to help families find detained individuals and keep lines of communication open.

The volunteer also noted that operators sometimes receive harassing calls from people attempting to intimidate them with hateful language, and that the organization offers mental health support and solidarity to its team members in response.

More than 1,000 people have volunteered with No More Deaths over the years, with the group growing a large base of aid workers in Southern Arizona.

"Our community has been so supportive for more than two decades by joining us in the field, sharing our life-saving work, and keeping us running through donations," Tischler said.

The potluck is open to the public with no RSVP required. Tucson residents interested in learning more about or volunteering with No More Deaths can find information at nomoredeaths.org.

Ruby Maldonado is a Pima Community College student and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at rhmaldonado99@gmail.com.

Tucson Spotlight is a community-based newsroom that provides paid opportunities for students and rising journalists in Southern Arizona. Please consider supporting our work with a tax-deductible donation.