As 15% of Nevadans face food insecurity, the Wolf Pack remains dedicated to ensuring food security for all Nevadans. 

University of Nevada, Reno Extension is expanding its food systems programming in collaboration with University and community partners, and University faculty, staff and students are volunteering, donating and sharing resources.

Working together to address critical community needs: It's Extension's mission and The Wolf Pack Way.

See the Pack's impact
Give back with the Pack
 
 

  Ways to get and give help with food insecurity

Extension food systems research, programs and partnerships are actively engaged in Nevada communities to address this critical need. Join us and expand the impact!

A UNLV volunteer at Extension's Healthy Kids Festival's free farmers market booth.

Partner | Looking for a larger impact?

Partner with Extension

President Sandoval shaking a student's hand on a farm.

Connect | Curious about food systems in Nevada?

Connect with our experts

A group of students gathered around the Pack Provisions door, holding a banner and donations of food.

Donate | Able to give money or food?

explore ways to donate

Gloved hands pass a grocery bag full of food through a car window to an elder in need.

Volunteer | Available to donate your time?

Find volunteer opportunities

 

What's the Wolf Pack doing?

Deploying volunteers | Coordinating needs and resources | Expanding support services | Delivering assistance

 

Examples of the Wolf Pack's impacts in this area are highlighted below. To suggest an impact be added, please contact Shelby Bietz.

Throughout the state

University of Nevada, Reno Extension is coordinating and collecting county-by-county volunteers and needs information, and deploying Extension employees to assist at partner organizations, such as food banks.

 

In Tribal communities

Extension is developing shipment / delivery of food to Tribal communities. Extension is working with all Nevada Tribes to identify their needs and meeting with community partners, such as Nevada Gold and Elk Meat Processing, to help address those needs.

 

 

In northern Nevada

Pack Provisions is increasing its hours and meeting with local pantries to expand support systems.

The Associated Students of the University of Nevada, Reno is holding food and coat drives to support Pack Provisions and additional local pantries.

University of Nevada, Reno Experiment Station's Desert Farming Initiative is providing additional fresh vegetables to Pack Provisions.

In southern Nevada

University of Nevada, Reno Extension is providing drivers and vehicles to transport food donations to local pantries in immediate need, in partnership with Three Square Food Bank and 35 area Smith's stores.

Extension is also coordinating volunteers, warehouse space and cold food storage, and working with local food producers, such as Gilcrease Orchard, to route food to pantries in need. 

In rural Nevada

Extension is deploying volunteers in all rural counties across the state to support local food pantries, through their Master Gardener and 4-H Youth Development Programs.

 

 

 

Meet our food systems experts

In the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources

A few of our food systems experts are highlighted below. We have University professionals working in all Nevada counties in these and other subject areas. To see them all, please explore our directories. To suggest a food systems expert be highlighted below, please contact Shelby Bietz.

Macy Helm.

Macy Helm, Extension, senior coordinator for nutrition education

Macy's expertise is in community-based nutrition education, particularly for audiences who are living with limited resources. She is based in Las Vegas with a statewide appointment.

Her Extension nutrition education programs are available to Nevadans of all ages, from early childhood to older adults, and focus on increasing knowledge and skills related to healthy aging and being physically active. 

Learn more about Macy
Sabina Malik.

Sabina Malik, Ph.D., Extension, assistant professor for healthy food systems

Sabina’s expertise encompasses food access and systems, nutrition and consumer education, community engagement and coalition building, policy advocacy, and public health. She chairs the Southern Nevada Food council and serves on the Governor’s Council on Food Insecurity.

Sabina leads nutrition education and program evaluation initiatives and has conducted research on southern Nevada food system needs.

Learn more about Sabina
Jill Moe.

Jill Moe, Experiment Station, director of the Desert Farming Initiative

Jill's background is in sustainable agriculture and environmental policy. She manages programs to support small-farm resiliency and Tribal food sovereignty. 

She leads the Desert Farming Initiative, a training farm and nursery on the east side of the University's main campus in Reno. The farm directs tons of fresh fruit and vegetables to local food pantries year-round, including to food pantries at the University and Truckee Meadows Community College. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT Jill
Daniel Coen.

Daniel Coen, College and Extension, coordinator for Tribal programs

Dan's areas of expertise include access to state and federal programs, small business development, and Extension programming for Tribal students and communities.

As the College's Tribal Students Program coordinator, Dan provides students mentorship and connections to resources. As Extension's Tribal Programs coordinator, Dan works with program teams, Tribal communities, and regional and national initiatives, to bring opportunities to Tribal communities.

Learn more about Dan

Explore our food systems programs

In the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources

A few of our food systems programs are highlighted below. The University offers programs in these and other subject areas across the state. To learn more, visit the website for our office in your county and explore our many program areas. To suggest a program be highlighted below, please contact Shelby Bietz.

For farmers and ranchers
Food Production, Processing and Distribution | Apprenticeships | Beginning Farmers & Ranchers | Desert Farming Initiative
Woman harvesting garlic.
For small food businesses
Business Development | Community and Workforce Development | Food Business Center
A food truck owner with his food truck.
For growing
your own food
Grow Your Own, Nevada! | Home Food Preservation | Master Gardeners
Hot water pouring into a jar of vegetables.
For helping people access food
Food Access | Food Security | Indigenous Food Sovereignty | Food and Nutrition | SNAP-Ed
Extension professional dressed in a pea costume at a table with kids excitedly tasting new vegetables.
For building healthy eating habits
Nutrition Education | Healthy Living |  Healthy Aging | Healthy Kids | Rethink Your Drink
A boy pouring a glass of fruit-flavored water from a pre-prepared pitcher.

Food, hygiene products or winter wear | Funds or gift cards | Donation drives

 

Donate food, funds or gift cards to your local food bank

Most-needed items include:

  • Baby formula
  • Pasta and rice
  • Peanut butter
  • Shelf-stable milk
  • Shelf-stable proteins
  • Canned fruits and vegetables
  • Gift cards for urgent purchases and to meet dietary needs

A few opportunities to give are highlighted below. To suggest an opportunity be added, please contact Shelby Bietz.

In northern Nevada

Opportunities to give include:

Donate to the Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada - St. Vincent's Food Pantry.

Donate to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, or host a food or fund drive for them.

Donate to the Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission.

Donate to Pack Provisions:

In southern Nevada

Opportunities to give include:

Donate funds or goods to Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada.

Donate to The Just One Project.

Donate to the Salvation Army.

Donate to the Three Square Food Bank.

In rural Nevada

Opportunities to give include:

Donate food in Churchill County, through the blue food-collection barrels in Fallon.

Barrel locations include:

  • Century 21
  • Oasis Community Church
  • Out of Egypt Food Pantry
  • WaFd Bank
  • Wolf Center

 

How to volunteer

Individual community members | Work, school or community groups

 

A few opportunities to volunteer are highlighted below. To suggest an opportunity be added, please contact Shelby Bietz.

In northern Nevada

In southern Nevada

In rural Nevada

 

Where to find help

Free groceries and hot meals | Rural food delivery | Campus and student support | Budget-friendly recipes

 

A few opportunities to find help are highlighted below. To suggest an opportunity be added, please contact Shelby Bietz.

In northern Nevada

Washoe County

In southern Nevada

Clark County

In rural Nevada

Churchill County

  • Epworth Community Food Pantry at the Wolf Center
  • Fallon Community Food Assistance & Resource Guide
  • Fallon Daily Bread
  • Fallon Naz
  • Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe Toi Ticutta Food Hub
  • New Frontier Treatment Center Food Pantry
  • Oasis Community Church Food & Meals
  • Out of Egypt Food Pantry
  • William N. Pennington Life Center

Lyon County

  • Healthy Communities Coalition
  • Silver Stage Food Pantry
  • Yerington Senior Center

Storey County

  • Community Chest, Inc.
  • Storey County Senior Center

For college students

Recipes

If you receive food items from the food bank that you're not sure how to prepare, or if you're just looking for easy, delicious, healthy recipes that help you make the best of your food budget, our College is here to help!

 

For additional information

To learn more about providing or finding help with food insecurity in Nevada, please contact Shelby Bietz, University of Nevada, Reno's outreach and community engagement manager.

Contact Shelby