Feds Feed Families food drive under way

The “Feds Feed Families” food drive in Carson City this summer is key to helping needy residents, according to Joyce Buckingham of the Ron Wood Family Resource Center.

“Our need is up, like, 17 percent,” said the organization’s executive director. She said Ron Wood’s food pantry serves 3,000 or more people monthly, providing them a couple or three days in emergency rations. She said non-perishable protein items like peanut butter, chili and tuna are depleted; supplies will stay tight until holiday food drives start.

Sarah Adler, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Nevada state director, who is based in Carson City, said the “Feds Feed Families” volunteer program nationwide has been a success and locally will bring out federal employees from various agencies.

They are USDA Rural Development, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Federal Highway Administration and the United States Geological Survey.

Federal employees will volunteer their time in staffing a drive-by food drop from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday and during the same hours a week later on Aug. 10 in front of Grocery Outlet, 1831 N. Carson St. The Grocery Outlet supermarket will provide discounts on purchases for the food drive efforts.

“We have some capacity to assist,” Adler said. “We’re helping to supply pantries in a period of need.”

Adler said each year she matches the amount her own staff provides, usually with fruits and vegetables, but this year she may edge over into the bid to get protein items.

Ongoing donations of canned foods or nonperishable dry foods also may be made at the USDA Rural Development Office, 1390 S. Curry St., or in the west side of the lobby at the federal building, 705 Plaza St. The food drive is set to run through Aug. 28.

Additional information is available by contacting Kelly Clark of USDA Rural Development by calling (775) 887-1222, extension 130.