The Carson Valley Community Food Closet was established in 1989 and was originally located in the basement of the United Methodist church. In 2019, the agency made its fourth move to its current location on Waterloo Lane in Gardnerville which combined both distribution services and warehouse needs. The Food Closet works in partnership with the Food Bank of Northern Nevada and is the largest provider of food assistance in Douglas County. Food is also provided to residents of Alpine County.
Sarah discussed the huge increase in the past year in local food insecurity - which matches the national need. Basic services provided to those in need are monthly or weekly allotments of food (bakery items, produce, canned goods, dried goods, meat, dairy, pet food and hygiene items). They partner with Community Health Workers, Douglas County Social Services, Washoe Tribe Social Services and many others. They will help individuals find out whether they are SNAP or WIC eligible as well as ensure that the individuals are meeting with a caseworker to help meet job, housing and medical needs.
The Food Closet serves over 1000 people / 500 households per month. The majority are women and seniors and 90% have lived in Douglas County for more than 2 years. Almost half use the service more than once a month. According to Sarah, “food insecurity” is when you don’t know where your next meal is coming from or if you cannot afford a healthy meal - even if temporary. In Douglas County, it is estimated that 4,270 people are food insecure (8.7% of the county).
A food shortage at the Food Closet is anticipated in the Spring of 2024 as food benefits will be half of what began pre-Covid when the U.S. shut down food going to China. The Food Closet is currently serving twice as many people as last year, so the need is greater. In the past, this community has been incredibly generous with Food for Family donations at the local Raley’s. These donations are now being spread over the Northern Nevada region instead of directly to the local Food Closet.
Eighty-five volunteers are currently serving each month. Their roles include driver, stocker, distribution, warehouse, delivery, kitchen services and event help. Donations of food come from the public, purchases, the Northern Nevada Food Bank and seven stores and restaurants. Donations from the public must have an ingredient label and not be homemade. A learning kitchen is part of the Food Closet and has a need for volunteers to create tastings and recipes highlighting food available in the warehouse. This could include something as simple as different ways to use peanut butter other than as a spread on bread.
Rotarian and Douglas County Library Director Tim DeGhelder thanked Sarah for the snacks provided by the Food Closet/Backpack buddies program for the teen room at the library after school.
Sarah Sanchez Bio
Sarah has over 20 years of experience addressing critical community issues, including domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, homelessness, and hunger. She began her journey as a crisis counselor at the South Lake Tahoe Women’s Center and later became a certified Child Forensic Interviewer, collaborating with law enforcement agencies as well as an Adjunct Faculty Member at Lake Tahoe Community College. She moved to Gardnerville in 2007 and has led the Carson Valley Community Food Closet for the past decade, revitalizing it through effective communication, a successful capital campaign, and the construction of a new facility.
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