Lovelock Community Food Bank: A Lifeline for Residents in Need

The Lovelock Community Food Bank has long served as a critical resource for residents of Pershing County, providing food assistance to those in need. Established in the mid-1990s by Father Karry Crites and the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada in partnership with the Lovelock Paiute Indian Tribe, the food bank has grown over its 25-year history into a vital part of the community’s support network.

Today, the Lovelock Community Food Bank operates out of the old city yard at 810 Franklin, a location provided by Mayor Mike Giles and the Lovelock City Council in 2014. The facility, shared with the Lovelock Recycle Center, is centrally located and accessible to community members who need to walk in for assistance. Despite this stable home, the food bank has experienced several relocations over the years, including stints at the Paiute Indian Colony, a metal storage van, and even behind the Fraternal Order of Eagles’ building.

The food bank's services are extensive. Many clients visit the food bank four to five times a month, with a significant number of those served being between the ages of 19 and 59 and unable to work. The facility not only distributes food from its own pantry but also participates in the Food Bank of Northern Nevada’s mobile pantry program, which brings fresh produce, proteins, and staples to the community. Volunteers, who contribute an estimated 2,000 hours annually, manage nearly every aspect of the operation, from collecting and distributing food to handling administrative tasks.

Geraldine Atkinson, a co-director of the food bank with Penny Higby, has dedicated over 25 years to the organization. Atkinson spoke at the last City Council meeting as well as the County Commission meeting, sharing the challenges of maintaining operations, highlighting that while Pershing County provides vouchers for four months of the year, the remaining eight months rely heavily on donations and volunteer support.

“We save the county over 2,000 hours in volunteer hours each year because there's a Monday crew and a Thursday crew,” Atkinson said. “For years, I did it myself... I’m here asking for compassion and support from the community.”

Atkinson emphasized the need for a permanent home for the food bank, ideally within city limits, to ensure continued service to the community.

The food bank became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization three years ago, allowing it to receive donations and support more effectively. Previous support from organizations such as Grace-St. Francis Church and contributions from groups like Burning Man, Southwest Gas employees, Coeur Rochester Mines, and E Clampus Vitus Jesse Lee Reno #1422 have been invaluable in keeping the program running.

Community members interested in supporting the Lovelock Community Food Bank are encouraged to volunteer their time or donate resources. With the continued collaboration of local government, businesses, and residents, the food bank aims to secure a permanent and sustainable future, providing hope and nourishment to Lovelock’s most vulnerable citizens.