By VERNON ROBISON
Moapa Valley Progress
A successful volunteer effort in Moapa has led to the expansion of an important program into the lower valley communities of Overton and Logandale. A free drive-up Mobile Food Pantry will be instituted in the lower valley on Saturday, April 30 beginning at 8:00 am at the Grant Bowler Elementary School parking lot in Logandale.
Residents can drive to that location and receive prepacked bags of fresh produce for themselves and their families. All Moapa Valley community members are welcome to participate.
After this first distribution date, the Mobile Pantry will continue with monthly drop-off dates. They will be held on the third Saturday of each month beginning on May 21.
The Mobile Pantry is the result of a partnership between local volunteers and the non-profit Three Square Center organization in Las Vegas. Three Square’s mission is to provide wholesome food to hungry people. Through a variety of food distribution techniques, the organization provides food assistance to residents of Lincoln, Nye, Esmeralda and Clark counties.
This is the second Mobile Pantry established in the greater Moapa Valley area. In March, the Three Square group partnered with Moapa Parks and Rec to establish a similar monthly drop-off at the Moapa Community Center.
“The Moapa site has proven to be quite successful in a short time,” said Regis Whaley, a research specialist for Three Square. “So we are happy to expand into the Logandale and Overton area as well.”
The idea for bringing the Mobile Pantry to the community began through the work of local resident Bren McClean. McClean, who is the mother of a child attending Ute Perkins Elementary, noted that there were a number of children at the school whose families needed assistance. She contacted her father, State Assemblyman James Oscarson to see what resources might be available. He approached Three Square with the request. The organization was happy to assist.
“They have been great to work with,” said McClean of Three Square. “They have come through to meet the needs here. It has worked out great. They bring the food and we provide the volunteers.”
Once the Moapa event had proven to be a success, McClean went right to work to establish another drop date in the lower valley.
“It took a little bit of explaining that these are two distinct and unique communities,” McClean said. “But once Three Square understood that, they came on board completely.”
McClean said that the Logandale drop would also provide a second date for people in both communities who needed the food. With the Moapa date taking place on the first Friday of each month and the Logandale drop continuing on the third Saturday, families in need can visit both sites and have their needs met throughout the month, she said.
“This is a big deal for me,” McClean said. “We are feeding children, families and seniors that might not get fed otherwise; people who have a need but might not qualify for federal benefits. That is just as important in rural areas as it is in the city.”
McClean has worked hard to gather a small army of volunteers for Saturday’s event. She has spoken to the local Rotary Club and to the 4-H organization both of whom will be helping in the distribution efforts. She has also posted the project on the community service website JustServe.org. Anyone wishing to volunteer in the effort can go there for information and sign up to help.
“We also spoke to the staff at the Moapa Valley Justice Court and volunteering at the Mobile Food Pantry qualifies as community service hours ordered by the court,” McClean said.
Though Saturday’s Mobile Pantry is taking place in Logandale, it is open to any needy families or individuals in the greater Moapa Valley communities including Moapa and Overton. There are no financial eligibility requirements to participate.
What: Three Square Mobile Food Pantry
When: Saturday, April 30; 8-10 am
Where: Grant Bowler Elementary School
