Even with cold, stolid weather and an approaching snow storm, organizers of Channel 2 News' Share Your Christmas Food Drive were warm with the holiday spirit and hopeful as ever Friday morning.
"We have high hopes that we'll surpass last year's numbers," said Len Frueh, board chair of the Carson Valley Community Food Closet. "The community doesn't let us down."
The annual event, held on the north side of Carson Valley Inn in Minden, runs from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Donors can drive through and hand off food to eager volunteers or make monetary donations. All food and proceeds go to the food closet.
Last year, the drive raked in $31,000 in monetary donations and 58,000 pounds of food.
As of 9:30 a.m. Friday, organizers had 3,818 pounds of food and $7,279.
"The money is OK, we're a little behind on the pounds, but we have high hopes," said Frueh. "A lot of people are coming through on their way to work, families with children and dogs. We've been handing out candy canes and dog biscuits."
Frueh said City National Bank donated $1,000. The Food Closet Crafters, made up of food closet volunteers, donated $5,000.
Of course the donations would be a lot harder to manage without the countless volunteers from Channel 2, the food closet, the Nevada Department of Corrections, Douglas High School JROTC, East Fork Fire & Paramedic Districts and the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. Even Santa Claus flew in for the event on a CareFlight helicopter.
"A lot of times our deputies are asked questions about where to find resources," Sheriff Ron Pierini said, while awaiting an interview with Channel 2. "This is important, and it's a great resource to direct people to in a time of need."
Pierini said the sheriff's office pitches in every year to support the food closet.
"We have a very giving community," he said.
Frueh said the food drive get its biggest bump in the evening, between 4 and 6 p.m., when people drop off donations after work.
