Donors help WNC provide food to hungry students in Carson City
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Sat, 12/11/2021 - 1:02pm
Creating more awareness about Western Nevada College’s Wildcat Reserve was only part of the reason for an open house for the college’s food and hygiene pantry on Thursday afternoon.
It also was a great opportunity to acknowledge the generosity of businesses and community leaders who have made it possible for the Wildcat Reserve to continue compassionate efforts of preventing students from attending classes hungry.
Donors, community and government leaders, as well as WNC staff, were invited to an open house to tour Wildcat Reserve — located in Joe Dini Building Room 108 — and learn more about how it is serving the college’s students.
Besides being lauded in speeches by WNC President Dr. Vincent Solis and Executive Director of Advancement Niki Gladys, the Wildcat Reserve donors received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen’s Office.
Wildcat Reserve is a response by the college to address a major concern of its student body.
A 2020 survey of WNC students indicated that many students on campus identified themselves as food insecure. Consequently, Student Life Coordinator Heather Rikalo and 2020-21 Associated Students of Western Nevada President Gabrielle Clark worked with college administrators to introduce a pantry on campus.
“The first time that we held our survey we found that a big portion of our students didn’t have access to enough food or high-quality food,” Dr. Solis said. “So, we started working with our partners and our donors. Then, we conducted research again this year to see how the pandemic impacted that, and the numbers are up over 30 percent. The need is great, but the coming together of the community to make this happen for our students is so important and very heartwarming to make sure all of our students have enough to eat.”
The onset of the COVID-19 health pandemic emphasized the need for the Wildcat Reserve. The pantry officially opened in December 2020 and has been providing students with the opportunity to access food items and overcome food insecurity.
“I’d like to say a special thank you to all of the donors for being here today … we really appreciate it,” said Rikalo, who manages Wildcat Reserve. “It made a vision come to reality. We’ve worked closely with students, student government, Student Life and the WNC Foundation to make it happen. We appreciate everything they’ve done, but I want to give a special thank you to all of our students who have been actively involved in filling bags of food, stocking the pantry, going shopping, filling the shelves and giving tours of Wildcat Reserve.”
Generous donations from NV Energy, Visiting Angels, Greater Nevada Credit Union, Soroptimist International of Carson City, The Mark and Maria Denzler Family Trust, The Purple Avocado, Handelin Law, The City of Carson, Save Mart and the University Police Department-Northern Command have made it possible to keep Wildcat Reserve’s shelves stocked with hygiene products and nonperishable foods.
“NV Energy Foundation is so proud to be part of this really important project,” said Katie Nannini, NV Energy Northern Nevada Community Relations Manager. “When WNC brought the idea of creating a food pantry for students who are struggling with food insecurity, we knew it was the right project for us to help support.”
Former WNC student Chris Benson, now the store manager at Save Mart, is impressed that the pantry was added to the list of services the college provides students.
“We like to partner with the community and help out students here at WNC who are a little less fortunate and this food helps them go a long way, especially during these hard times,” he said. “I had an opportunity to attend WNC, and it’s just a great school with the services they offer students. I would encourage any student not to be bashful or shy and utilize the services that are available to them.”
Stan Jones, owner of The Purple Avocado and a Carson City Board supervisor, said he was curious about the food in the pantry, and was really touched by what it is doing for students.
“I’m very impressed with the progress and success that it has become,” Jones said. “I don’t want to see anyone go hungry and that’s why I’m so happy the college is providing it.”
Wildcat Den Chef Mitchell Tufts provided appetizers and treats to guests that he prepared from items that are available in Wildcat Reserve to demonstrate that delicious food can be both healthy and inexpensive.
To learn more about the Wildcat Reserve and how to use it, go to wnc.edu/wildcat-life/foodpantry. To make a donation to Wildcat Reserve, phone the Foundation at 775-445-3240.
Individuals still can enroll in WNC’s winter session classes, which start on Dec. 20 and Jan. 3, as well as spring semester, which begins Jan. 24. For assistance in registering for classes or becoming a student at WNC, phone 775-445-3277 or 775-445-3267.
