Food Donations Reach Fallon Pantries Through National America250 Initiative

Two Fallon organizations that provide food assistance received donations this week after volunteers distributed food from a nationwide America250 campaign that delivered a truckload of supplies to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada in Sparks.

The shipment, carried on a JustServe/America250-branded truck, included up to 40,000 pounds of shelf-stable food. It is one of 250 truckloads being distributed to communities in all 50 states through a partnership among America250, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and local food banks.

After the truck arrived in Sparks on Thursday, volunteers delivered five pallets of nonperishable food to pantries serving Fallon, Fernley, Silver Springs, and Yerington. In Fallon, donations were delivered to Out of Egypt Food Pantry and New Frontier Treatment Center, which operates a 24/7 emergency food pantry.

The food drive is part of America Gives, an initiative encouraging volunteer service during the nation's semiquincentennial celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is supporting the effort through its JustServe platform, which connects volunteers with local service opportunities and provides humanitarian assistance to communities across the country.

Mary Sorensen, communications director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fallon and Fernley, said serving others remains central to the church's mission.

"Serving others is at the heart of our faith," Sorensen said. "We're thrilled to donate food to local pantries because caring for those who are hungry is one way we can follow the example of Jesus Christ right here in Northern Nevada."

Organizers said the 250 truckloads are expected to provide millions of meals to families facing food insecurity while encouraging volunteer service in communities across the country.

Residents interested in volunteering through the America Gives initiative can find local service opportunities through the JustServe platform or by contacting a local congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.