BUSINESS Q&A: The Community Food Pantry
Organization Name: The Community Food Pantry
Address: 1135 12th Street Sparks, NV
Website: www.thecommunityfoodpantryrenosparks.com
Organization Phone Number: 775-391-0482
Years in Operation: 7
Number of Volunteers: 35
Interview with Barbara Monroy
Q. What is your favorite thing about Sparks?
A. The hometown feel of this generous community.
Q. Can you tell us about your organization? What is your story?
A. The Community Food Pantry provides emergency food to those who are in need in the greater Reno/Sparks area. Twice a week, we offer individuals and families once a month a three-day food supply. Since its inception, the food pantry has grown through the dedicated service of its volunteers who log 5,000 volunteer hours annually. The Community Food Pantry served 20,000 in 2016, half of these were children.
We started in 2008, when times were hard in the community, as once a week distribution and then expanded to 2 days a week. At our peak we served over 30,000 people during the hardest time of the recession. As things are improving we are serving fewer but with the increased cost of housing we expect to see our numbers increase over the next several years as families will need to cut where they can.
The Community Food Pantry receives its food through a partnership with the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, contributions from local grocery stores and generous donations from individuals and families.
Q. How did you get into this organization or what brought you to help?
A. Simply, it was the right thing to do, people in the community need our assistance and we are glad to be in a situation to help.
Q. What is one of the most memorable moments you’ve had while operating in Sparks?
A. There are many, clients are always overwhelmed by our generosity, we do more than provide food, we build relationships with those we serve. You would be surprised at how relieved people are to receive many items you and I take for granted, toilet paper, a toothbrush, or a can of tuna fish. We have clients who will give us back potatoes because it will increase their power bill if they bake it, or the birthday cake we give to a small child who wouldn’t otherwise have one on their special day. Or when the pantry is running low on items and we are considering closing early on a distribution day, knowing that until our order comes in people may be hungry, and a car pulls up with enough donations to get us through.
Q. What is the one thing you wish everyone knew about your organization, but isn’t commonly known?
A. We are always looking for volunteers and opportunities in the community for food drives.
The Community Food Pantry helps approximately 20,000 people a year. They are able to support the community through volunteers and fundraising. Their annual fundraiser “Empty Bowls” is on September 27, 2017 at Eldorado Hotel Casino. You can help support The Community Food Pantry by painting a bowl for the event at Playful Potter, or by purchasing tickets to attend the fundraiser.
8th Annual Empty Bowls
Proceeds benefit The Community Food Pantry
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Eldorado Hotel Casino
$30 per ticket
Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/empty-bowls-renosparks-2017-tickets-27231595435
There is still time to paint bowls at Playful Potter located at 1351 E. Prater Way in Sparks. Bowls are $10. The deadline to paint bowls is September 15. Large bowl painting parties are welcome, please contact Playful Potter to make an appointment.
