Fundraiser helps feed area children

Buffet & Broadway brought together about 125 people Saturday at the Carson Nugget for a night of good food and entertainment by the Brewery Arts Center's BAC to Broadway Kids.

But the event was more than a night out. Those participating also helped feed area children facing "food insecurity" - uncertainty about where they would get their next meal.

The fundraiser for Food For Thought netted $5,000 from the event and raffle ticket sales.

Food For Thought distributes 700 meals each Friday to students in Carson City, Douglas County and Silver Springs, said Stephanie Gardner, executive director for the organization. While school programs provide meals for students in need during the week, Food For Thought supplies food for the weekend, when many children go hungry.

"We couldn't do that without the tremendous support from you," Gardner told the supporters at the fundraiser.

Every Thursday, Food For Thought volunteers form an assembly line to pack bags with non-perishable food. The bags generally contain two servings of juice, two milks, two cereals, two cans of protein-based meals, and two fruit cups, enough for two meals each day.

Each bag costs Food For Thought about $4.46, an amount that goes further thanks to a partnership with Northern Nevada Food Bank. Even with the savings, Food For Thought spends $10,000 each month.

Food For Thought now distribution in Silver Springs, where the community food bank recently closed despite serving in the county with the highest unemployment rate in the state.

"How do you say no to that (need)?" Gardner said.

About 30 Silver Springs students now receive weekend meals from the organization.

And the need is growing.

In 2009, the last year for which numbers were available, one in four children in the United States faced food insecurity, Gardner said, and one in five received emergency assistance from food banks.

When new numbers are released, they're expected to be much higher because of current economic hardships.

Among Carson City residents, 16 percent face food insecurity and, according to school district figures, 359 students are homeless.

With so many children in need, Food For Thought is always seeking help from volunteers and donations, large and small. For more information, go to www.nvfoodforthought.org or call 775-885-7770.