Donations down, more food needed

The annual Share Your Holiday Food Drive couldn't come at a better time as the pantry shelves are nearly bare at the Advocates to End Domestic Violence shelter.

"This year the food drive is more important than ever," said Lisa Lee, director of Advocates to End Domestic Violence. "We rely heavily on donations from the public (of) cash and food, and our cash donations are down about 50 percent from last year. We don't have the dollars to help subsidize the food drive."

The food drive is from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday at the Governor's Mansion, 606 N. Mountain St. Those donating food simply enter the north end of the driveway and a volunteer will unload the food donation. KTVN Channel 2 in Reno also will air segments live during the food drive, which also has several local entertainers scheduled.

Non-perishable food items are needed, with an emphasis on high-protein foods, and snacks and cereals for the children.

"Peanut butter, tuna, and anything that can be made in a crock pot," Lee said. "We're really pushing for people to use them more as they save time. Many of these are working moms who have to come home, clean, spend time with their children and then cook a meal.

"We've been putting together recipes for the crock pot so if anyone has a good one they will share, we'll take that, too."

Lee said paper goods including diapers " sized medium to large " also are needed, along with toilet paper, detergents and toiletries. Lee said they recently checked in four families into the shelter.

"When both parents are out of work, tensions are high," she said. "People who thought they'd never lose their home are out of their homes. I was just thinking, is there ever a year when there are more donations than requests?"

Lee said Carson City is following national trends and is down on donations. She said this food drive will carry them through the winter until postal carriers hold their food drive in May.

"Luckily they're strategically set throughout the year," she said. "I was checking national statistics for food pantries and the homeless. Pantries are seeing an increase in requests by about 40 percent, and they're down at least 30 percent in donations."

Lee said this year they have assisted more than 71 women and 120 children in the shelter. At the Carson City courthouse, they have helped file more than 100 stalking/restraining orders each month.

"But our Thrift Store (Classy Seconds) is doing well," Lee said. "More people are turning there and to consignment stores when money is tight."

Traci Trenoweth with Advocates said a few more volunteers for the afternoon hours of the food drive also would be helpful.

To volunteer or for information, call 883-7654.

- Contact Rhonda Costa at rcosta

@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.