Our food pantry has been at this location since JUNE of 2018, sponsored by the Carson City Seventh-Day Adventist Church. We are a "choice pantry" meaning that participants shop in our pantry for items they choose on their own. We have canned and non-perishable foods plus frozen protein sources, with intermittently available milk and eggs, and frozen fruits and vegetables and a constantly changing variety of fresh fruits and vegetables supplied to us through a partnership with the Food Bank of Northern Nevada (FBNN).
We are open on Sundays from 10am-2pm and Wednesday 5-7 pm. There is no geographic restriction on where participants live. We receive support from Food Bank of Northern Nevada through two programs they sponsor, including the Nevada Department of Agriculture's "The Emergency Food Assistance Program" (TEFAP). The TEFAP program does have an income eligibility requirement, which more than 95% of our participants are able to meet. We attempt to set reasonable limits on the amount of food each participant receives each week, primarily to make sure we have enough to distribute to all those who are seeking assistance. Participants are invited to come to the pantry on their choice of one of the two days we are open each week. Seeking services at other food pantry DOES NOT disqualify a household from utilizing our pantry.
We currently serve approximately 300 households monthly, representing between 725-775 individuals. Approximately 200 of those individuals are seniors 60 years or older. There are between 180-200 children ages birth to 18 years. The balance are adults between ages 19-59.
We were recently notified of a grant to help us obtain additional refrigeration capacity so that we can expand safe handling of items needing refrigeration received from FBNN in our weekly delivery. We are excited by the potential this gives us. We are always grateful for donations that we receive to benefit the pantry. One individual provides us with toilet tissue by having two cases delivered about every three weeks. Some individuals provide cash donations that allow us to purchase diapers and baby wipes to provide a buffer for families with infants. Other individuals supply various feminine hygiene products including panty liners, pads, and disposable women's underpants. These are always appreciated and we never seem to have quite enough of these to meet the need. For the men, shaving supplies are always welcome and seldom enough to go as far as the need. Other needs that often don't get recognized are personal hygiene items like deodorant and bar soap. Laundry detergent in the pod form is occasionally provided, and we are able to divide the large box up into packets with 4-6 pods in a zip lock for individual households. It is much appreciated by the folks who find this gem on our shelves.
We can accept food donations at other times by prior arrangement, Please call 775-492-8726 to arrange for someone to be present to accept the donation.
We are a volunteer run pantry and do not have regularly staffed hours other than the times the pantry is open. Donors please call before you come if other than during our open hours. We are happy to receive donations between 9:00 am and noon on Wednesdays, when we are at the pantry receiving our weekly delivery from FBNN. We are happy to provide plastic crates to hold tree fruit, just call 775-492-8726 to arrange pick up of the crates at our pantry. You may need to leave a message, but we will get back to you within 24 hours. We have a few volunteers who have been able to help with harvesting fruit in the past. If you need assistance please call or text to the above number.
ProducePedia
ProducePedia is a free resource that covers the types of fresh produce that can be delivered to food pantries. Each entry includes information on color, taste, and possible uses. People unfamiliar with the vegetable or fruit will learn how to use it, and those who are familiar with it still might learn a fun fact or two!
The Cooperative Extension sites have a wealth of information for any backyard gardener. Once you go to the site (each one if very different from the others) look for a link for “homes and gardens”, “landscape”, “consumer horticulture”, etc. to find information on improving your backyard garden. Neighboring state sites may offer information your own state’s site lacks.
