We are holding a food drive! I chose Serving Our Kids after hearing about it from my local resource Dave Reichert. I had been looking for a local charity that was helping kids directly. Dave has helped many families around the valley through his real estate business as well as his own efforts with his family. I reached out to Serving Our Kids to see what they needed and if we could turn the drive into a volunteer opportunity for kids.
In Clark County, 65% of kids are eligible to receive a free or reduced-priced meals. Weekends have always been an issue for kids who get most of their nutrition from school breakfasts and lunches. Serving Our Kid stepped in nearly 10 years ago to help kids get good food over the weekends and holidays when school is not in session. The pandemic has increased the local amount of kids who are insecure. Serving Our Kids estimates there’s more than likely 10,000 or more kids who go hungry in the Las Vegas valley each week.
Serving Our Kids was started by a local dad, Dale, who was inspired to action when his elementary-aged daughter donated all her piggy bank money to her local school to help kids get fed over the weekend.
He is willing to open the food bank early to allow our group to bring kids to bundle food and learn how the process works. If you would like to be involved, please email me or join on the Las Vegas Homeschooling Support group.
Just bring what you can, every bit helps. I hope to have more convenient locations around town in the next week!
Here is a list of what they need:
- Oatmeal
- Applesauce
- Ramen Noodles
- Cheese and Crackers (the packets sold on the shelves)
- Granola/Cereal Bars
- Canned Pastas
- Fruit Cups
- Juice Boxes or Pouches
- Bottled Water
- Fruit Snacks
- Pudding Cups
About Serving Our Kids
Each weekend, Serving Our Kids feeds 3,500 kids who do not currently receive weekend food bags from any backpack program or other governmental programs. Even with all of the federal and nonprofit resources helping families and school children receive food throughout the week through school programs and CCSD, only around 15 percent have enough to eat over the weekend. Serving Our Kids fills that gap.