Food for Thought’s 20th anniversary Stronger Together Community Giving Event brought the Carson City community together in a big way, generating $15,661 in monetary donations and 1,613 pounds of donated food to support local children.
But the campaign is not finished yet, said Marlene Maffei, executive director of Food For Thought.
Food for Thought is continuing its push toward a $20,000 fundraising goal, with the remaining need helping support a Backpack Program that currently serves children at 14 schools in Carson City as well as programs in Douglas County and Dayton.
“We are incredibly grateful for what this community has already accomplished,” Maffei said. “More than $15,000 and 1,600 pounds of food will make a real difference for the children we serve. At the same time, the cost of filling these bags week after week adds up quickly, so we hope people will continue helping us close the gap and reach our $20,000 goal.”
Providing food through the Backpack Program costs, on average, $1,800-2,500 per week for food alone, not including administrative costs. Reaching the $20,000 goal will cover about a quarter of the annual food cost, Maffei said.
Those costs make continued community support especially important as Food for Thought begins another school year of providing children with weekend food bags filled with shelf-stable foods they can easily eat or prepare without needing additional ingredients.
The Stronger Together event marked Food for Thought’s 20th anniversary and gave donors, volunteers, vendors, businesses and community members an opportunity to celebrate the organization’s impact while helping stock its shelves for the months ahead.
Food for Thought extends special thanks to event sponsors Carson City Toyota, Carson Tahoe Hospital and Allison MacKenzie, as well as Mucks Collectibles, Battle Born Harley-Davidson, lake2o Car Club, Food for Thought volunteers and the many community members who donated food, money, time and support.
The fundraising campaign will remain open until it reaches the $20,000 goal. Donations can be made at www.nvfoodforthought.org.
Food for Thought also thanks the local vendors, community organizations and raffle-prize donors who helped make the anniversary event possible.
Event vendors
A&A Rentals; Backcountry Blends; Battle Born Bouncers; Coldwell Banker Select; Damon’s Bake Shop; Davy’s Street Grill; Fantasy Face Painting; Farm Fresh to You; Juvi and Jane; Kithara Art; Lady Griller; Lambchops and Schnooks; MMP Leather; NVious Bites; Obsidian Oak; Party Denn Kids; Peaks and Pines; Pre Loved Children’s Clothing; Still Water Journals; Sweet Autumn Clay; The Cozy Corner NV; Tipsy Twins; United Federal Credit Union; and Vida y Energia.
Raffle-prize donors
Artsy Fartsy; Amanda Lamborn; Bakers Dozen Donuts; Bret Andreas State Farm; Carson City Olive Garden; Carson City Lions Club; Casino Fandango; Cipriani’s Barber Shop; Eve’s Eatery; Firehouse Subs; Grandma’s Fudge; Heidi McFadden; Lambchop & Schnooks; Odyssee Tattoo; Prodigy Massage; Red Dog Saloon; Roasting House Virginia City; Sassafras; Scoops Ice Cream; Sierra Acupuncture; United Federal Credit Union; and Virginia City Jerky Co.
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Photo cutline: Food for Thought Stronger Together community event Aug. 30, raised more than $15,000 and 1,600 pounds of food during the organization’s 20th anniversary campaign. Food For Thought packs weekend food that is easy to prepare with few other ingredients for chronically hungry area school children and depends on community support to fund the Backpack Project.
Photo cutline: Vendor booths and donation stations drew visitors to the Food For Thought Stronger Together 20th anniversary celebration.
Photo cutline: Hundreds of cars were on display at the Food For Thought Stronger Together 20th anniversary celebration.
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 and scholarships, Food for Thought helps 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.
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