For 20 years, Food for Thought has worked to make sure local children have access to food when they are away from school. Now, as the Carson City nonprofit celebrates two decades of service, it is asking the community to help launch its next chapter with an ambitious anniversary challenge: raise $20,000 and collect 2,000 pounds of food.
The organization will host its Stronger Together Community Giving Event from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at 3246 N. Carson Street in Carson City.
The community celebration brings together local vendors, food trucks, community partners and supporters while raising critical funds and collecting food to help Food for Thought begin the new school year.
“We wanted our 20th anniversary to be about more than looking back,” said Marlene Maffei, executive director. “For 20 years, this community has made Food for Thought possible. We thought the best way to celebrate that milestone was to invite the community to help us make sure we are ready for the children who will need us this school year.”
Food for Thought provides food assistance to children through its weekend food bag program. The organization currently serves 14 schools and programs in Carson City and surrounding communities, including Dayton and a Head Start program in Douglas County.
The need does not end when the school bell rings on Friday. Weekend food bags are intentionally filled with food children can easily prepare or eat at home, including items that require little or no additional ingredients. Among the organization’s current priority needs are protein cups, fruit cups, macaroni and cheese cups and juice boxes.
Food for Thought provided more than 54,400 meals to school children in 2025 and relies heavily on community donations, volunteers and partnerships to continue that work.
“The $20,000 and 2,000-pound goals connect perfectly with our 20th anniversary, but for us, the numbers represent something much bigger,” Maffei said. “Every donated item and every dollar helps us continue showing up for children who may not know where their food is coming from, only that someone made sure it was there.”
About Food for Thought: Food for Thought is a Carson City-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing nutritious meals to chronically hungry school children in the local community. Through programs including weekend food bags, summer food assistance and scholarships, Food for Thought works to help ensure local children have access to food and support when they need it. In 2026, Food for Thought celebrates 20 years of serving children and families in the Carson City area and surrounding communities. Learn more at nvfoodforthought.org.
This content was submitted by a Carson Now reader. Do you have photos, an announcement, or exciting news to share? We want to know! Send your community news to us at the form below:
Have an event to share? Submit it to our events calendar here.
