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.

 
 

  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 for you and your fellow Nevadans!

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

Partner | Interested in collaborating for a larger impact?

Partner with Extension

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

Connect | Looking to learn about food systems, access, nutrition and more?

Connect with extension

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

Give | Wanting to help others by donating funds, food or your time? 

Donate or volunteer

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

Find resources | Needing groceries, hot meals or other assistance?

Find support

What's the Wolf Pack doing?

Expanding partnerships, programs and knowledge | Coordinating needs and resources | Deploying volunteers | Delivering assistance

 

Examples of recent Wolf Pack impacts on food insecurity in Nevada are highlighted below. To suggest an impact be added, please contact Shelby Bietz.

Throughout the state


University of Nevada, Reno Extension and Experiment Station are stepping up research and outreach programs to help Nevada farmers boost the supply of fresh fruits, vegetables and staples for the state's 3 million residents.

Extension is also partnering with community organizations to coordinate and collect county-by-county volunteers and needs information, and to deploy Extension employees to assist at partner organizations, such as food banks.

In Tribal communities


Extension is partnering to develop shipment / delivery of food. We are 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


University of Nevada, Reno Experiment Station's Desert Farming Initiative (DFI) is partnering to provide additional fresh vegetables to Pack Provisions.

DFI Director Jill Moe and Washoe County Commissioner Alexis Hill are in conversations about the county's food landscape and potential collaborations among the county, DFI and Extension to help support food security.

Pack Provisions is increasing its hours and meeting with local pantries to expand support systems. They've received additional food from the Food Bank of Northern Nevada with funding from Renown, as well as additional fresh produce from our Desert Farming Initiative.

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

The Wolf Pack is supporting food delivery efforts in partnership with Access to Healthcare Network and Urban Roots, with direction from the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. We're coordinating monthly warehouse volunteer nights

Nevada Dining organized a donation drive for Hope Springs at the Cares Campus.

In southern Nevada


University of Nevada, Reno Extension is coordinating with food pantries on support needed to expand hours, manage stores, serve clients, and store and distribute food, including at pop-up locations. 

Extension is partnering with Three Square Food Bank and 35 area Smith's stores to provide drivers and vehicles to transport food donations to local pantries in immediate need.

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

In rural Nevada


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

Partner with us for a better Nevada

Extension is a unit of the University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources engaged in Nevada communities, presenting research-based knowledge to address critical community needs. We are a county-state-federal partnership providing practical education to people, businesses and communities, and we'd love to partner with additional organizations for a better Nevada. To explore partnership opportunities, please contact Shelby Bietz.

 

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 all of our experts, please explore our personnel 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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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 community 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.

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 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 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

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

Storey County

  • Community Chest, Inc.
  • Storey County Senior Center

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