Food for Thought issues donation challenge for Valentine's Day

Instead of candy or flowers, Food for Thought is making a special request to the community this Valentine's Day. The campaign, "Chicken Soup for the Heart," will run throughout February to feed children in need.

"Valentine's Day makes us think about the people we love, and I think we all love children in our community and want to support them," said Cecile Critchfield, a longtime volunteer with Food for Thought, which provides food each week to families in need.

Food for Thought is collecting donations of chicken soup and individually wrapped cheese or peanut butter crackers at donation bins around Carson City.

In addition to the community drive, volunteer Sarah Adler is challenging service clubs to see which one can raise the most money or collect the most donations.

Adler reached out to Food for Thought last month, looking for ways to volunteer on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Rather than help in the warehouse, organizers asked her to coordinate the service club challenge.

"I'm glad I landed this one," she said.

Adler, the state USDA director, previously oversaw programs in the Carson City School District that worked with children in need. Those same children, she said, are served by Food for Thought.

"I'm sadly aware of the amount of need we have," she said. "It's a cause that's near and dear to my heart."

Service clubs that want to participate should contact Adler at (775) 742-3222.

"Members of the club that donates the most get their own appropriate reward: a bowl of soup donated by the Artisan Cafe," she said.

Stephanie Gardner, executive director of Food for Thought, said the organization is focusing on soups and crackers during the winter to soothe children in the season known for a high cold and flu rate.

"Our community is very generous about donating food to hungry children in need in our community," Gardner said. "We are asking the community to help once again by donating items that will help children through the winter months. We are seeking chicken noodle soup, chicken with rice, chicken with vegetables, or any nutritious soup in a microwavable container or pop-top can."