News
Opinion
“To feel safe and warm on a cold, wet night, all you really need is soup.” — Laurie Colwin
Mayor Bob Crowell is right to dispute the skewed study from the U.S. Con ference of Mayors, which ranks Carson City last in job re covery outlook. Our miniscule metro area can't average out and measure up statistically with bigger-city sprawls. Like many seemingly precise indicators, these statistics distort reality. A truer measure of Carson City's outlook in these challenging economic times is the city's resilience and its open heart.
Consider Food for Thought, the homegrown nonprofit safety net invented here in Carson City to provide single-serving nutrition to the area's homeless children and students in transition. From the group's name to its mission, Food for Thought is all about results.
Nutrition is essential to learning. Healthy food is vital for growing children every day, not just school days. At-risk children can take advantage of school breakfast and lunch programs. Food for Thought makes sure kids living from day-to-day and hand-to-mouth eat nutritious, easy-to-prepare food throughout the weekend. More than 650 children receive weekend nutrition support through 12 schools and Head Start programs in the Carson City area.
The U.S. Department of Agri culture estimates that 16 percent of Carson City households face “food insecurity.”
A 2008 study by Cook and Frank reported, “It is demonstrable that food insecurity is a prevalent risk to the growth, health, cognitive, and behavioral potential of America's poor and near poor children.”
A University of Mississippi study found under-nutrition contributes to decreased levels of activity, social interaction, curiosity and thinking. Undernourished children also have more problems fighting infections, are sick more often, and miss more school than their peers.
This month, Food for Thought is launching its Chicken Soup for the Heart Food Drive. Throughout the Valentine's month, the group is gathering heartwarming and nutritious food to distribute during cold and flu season. The focus is chicken soup (microwaveable or pop-top) and individually wrapped crackers stuffed with cheese or peanut butter. The “soupy hug” project is spearheaded by Sarah Adler to help at-risk children stay healthy and ready to learn during cold and flu season, to honor Martin Luther King Jr.
Beginning Friday, food barrels will be at Grocery Outlet, Smith's, First Baptist Church, ABC Learn ing Center, First Presby terian Church, Redrock Dental, and Food for Thought, which also accepts monetary donations, at 3975 Highway 50 East, Suite 221, 775-885-7770.
Carson is not an average city, nor will big-city indicators accurately report the city's outlook or its generosity. Many people here work hard on worthy projects to weave and strengthen the safety net for our most vulnerable citizens. We are all stronger for it. Soup's on!
• Abby Johnson is a resident of Carson City, and a part-time resident of Baker, Nev. She consults on community development and nuclear waste issues. Her opinions are her own and do not necessarily reflect those of her clients.
Mayor Bob Crowell is right to dispute the skewed study from the U.S. Con ference of Mayors, which ranks Carson City last in job re covery outlook. Our miniscule metro area can't average out and measure up statistically with bigger-city sprawls. Like many seemingly precise indicators, these statistics distort reality. A truer measure of Carson City's outlook in these challenging economic times is the city's resilience and its open heart.
Consider Food for Thought, the homegrown nonprofit safety net invented here in Carson City to provide single-serving nutrition to the area's homeless children and students in transition. From the group's name to its mission, Food for Thought is all about results.
Nutrition is essential to learning. Healthy food is vital for growing children every day, not just school days. At-risk children can take advantage of school breakfast and lunch programs. Food for Thought makes sure kids living from day-to-day and hand-to-mouth eat nutritious, easy-to-prepare food throughout the weekend. More than 650 children receive weekend nutrition support through 12 schools and Head Start programs in the Carson City area.
The U.S. Department of Agri culture estimates that 16 percent of Carson City households face “food insecurity.”
A 2008 study by Cook and Frank reported, “It is demonstrable that food insecurity is a prevalent risk to the growth, health, cognitive, and behavioral potential of America's poor and near poor children.”
A University of Mississippi study found under-nutrition contributes to decreased levels of activity, social interaction, curiosity and thinking. Undernourished children also have more problems fighting infections, are sick more often, and miss more school than their peers.
This month, Food for Thought is launching its Chicken Soup for the Heart Food Drive. Throughout the Valentine's month, the group is gathering heartwarming and nutritious food to distribute during cold and flu season. The focus is chicken soup (microwaveable or pop-top) and individually wrapped crackers stuffed with cheese or peanut butter. The “soupy hug” project is spearheaded by Sarah Adler to help at-risk children stay healthy and ready to learn during cold and flu season, to honor Martin Luther King Jr.
Beginning Friday, food barrels will be at Grocery Outlet, Smith's, First Baptist Church, ABC Learn ing Center, First Presby terian Church, Redrock Dental, and Food for Thought, which also accepts monetary donations, at 3975 Highway 50 East, Suite 221, 775-885-7770.
Carson is not an average city, nor will big-city indicators accurately report the city's outlook or its generosity. Many people here work hard on worthy projects to weave and strengthen the safety net for our most vulnerable citizens. We are all stronger for it. Soup's on!
• Abby Johnson is a resident of Carson City, and a part-time resident of Baker, Nev. She consults on community development and nuclear waste issues. Her opinions are her own and do not necessarily reflect those of her clients.
