Nevada Day food drives bring in 8,000 lbs of food, $2,700 in under two hours
Indivisible Northern Nevada, 50501NNV, Bans Off Our Bodies and Indivisible Carson City joined forces to support the thousands of Nevadans who are set to lose benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) when funds run out :
• In Reno, the event was held outside Representative Mark Amodei’s office, a symbolic reminder that Amodei not only voted for the “big, beautiful budget” that sparked this shutdown, he has taken no action to end it despite thousands of his constituents demanding a reversal and bracing for the harsh consequences the bill promised.
• In Carson City, volunteers collected donations outside the Legislature Building while calling on Governor Joe Lombardo to release funding that could provide emergency assistance for the program. Lombardo has enthusiastically supported the same budget, blamed the minority party Democrats for the shutdown instead of demanding Republicans reverse deep cuts to healthcare and Medicaid, and most recently insisted it would be “illegal” to use state funds to bridge the gap in SNAP benefits.
Despite having only a few days’ notice of the event, Nevadans came out in droves to support their communities. “We had no idea what to expect, but once again, Reno and Carson City showed up and over-delivered on behalf of our community,” says Kimberly Carden of Indivisible Northern Nevada. “Nevadans’ dedication to support our neighbors, to help maintain the dignity and humanity of everyone who goes through hardships, cannot be overstated. This drive was successful beyond our expectations – well beyond!”
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Reno organizers say their original goal was to fill three barrels of food and raise $100 online given the short notice. Instead, they filled an 18-foot trailer about three-quarters full within just two hours. Organizers estimate that approximately 200 cars dropped off food and needed supplies for the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. In Carson City, volunteers filled two and-a-half pick up beds full of items, and estimated around 65 cars participated in their drop off.After donating, many people stayed to protest the cuts to benefits as well as the government shutdown at each location.
Donors in both locations provided non-perishable goods like boxed meals, pasta, canned tuna and chicken, soups and other essential items. Some came with carloads direct from grocery stores, others shopped for neighbors and friends, while others contributed as much as they could from their own pantries. Many expressed gratitude that they could participate, with one donor sharing her own SNAP experience. The young mother provided several boxes of pancake mix and other breakfast items, sharing that her family had used SNAP benefits for the same items during a time of hardship. She was so appreciative of having access to those SNAP benefits, she wanted to share that breakfast with others who need that same support now.
Thousands of Northern Nevadans are at risk of losing access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits because of the shutdown. A recent report by The Nevada Independent noted that approximately 1 in 6 Nevadans receive SNAP benefits, and if the shutdown continues into November, the state may be unable to issue new or ongoing SNAP benefits. Governor Lombardo has said he cannot use the state’s rainy day fund to support food banks while the SNAP program is on hold because it would drive the fund below five percent, however the governor neglected to disclose that he could use the funds if both he and the state legislature declared a fiscal emergency.
Carden says that while the state’s leadership is faltering, the community is stepping in. “Literally thousands of Nevadans are heading toward hunger because their elected officials refuse to defy this regime and act in our communities’ best interest. This regionalfood drive makes clear: if they won’t help Nevadans, we will.”
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:
• SNAP benefits will continue to be distributed through October 31, but without resolution of the government shutdown, new benefits and assistance may be halted,placing nearly half a million Nevadans at risk.
• State officials estimate the monthly cost of SNAP at around $90 million, and state emergency funds are not designed to carry this cost alone.
• Governor Lombardo’s office publicly urged congressional Democrats to end the shutdown rather than calling on GOP members to reconsider the budget cuts driving the crisis.
*Early estimates based on using images and descriptions uploaded to AI programs. Multiple queries and applications were made and used to derive at this estimate. A more exact number may be available next week.
Indivisible Northern Nevada is a non-partisan, all volunteer effort to advance humanitarian values through advocacy and electoral work. We came together in 2017 and have been active in efforts to protect our democracy and promote positive change in our northern Nevadacommunity, our state, and our nation. We share this work with nearly 6000 other Indivisible groups throughout the country.
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