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Released 29 January 2010
Reno, Nev. (January 29, 2010) - When our annual Feed the Hungry
Feast at the Reno Events
Center was over, there
were 20 unused plates left - out of 2,000! That's 500 more meals than last year
and four times the number served at the first dinner in 1999.
Once again, a tough economy brought a record
number of guests to the event. Nevada's
unemployment still hovers around 13% and the number of home foreclosures is
among the highest in the nation. Thank goodness we asked sponsors to increase
the amount of food! We managed to feed everyone who needed a meal - and even
had plenty of meat left over for the men in our Adult Rehabilitation
Program!
"We were
very pleased to once again offer the community a hot, nutritious meal -
especially during these tough economic times. We're very grateful for the
support provided by our event partners," said Major Doug Williams, Corps
Officer of The Salvation Army in Reno.
"The
economic difficulties being faced by families throughout the country have
created a severe need for a healthful and safe source of protein," added SCI
Foundation Humanitarian Services Chairman Gene Rurka. "Our SCI/F hunting family
is proud to step up to the plate to provide thousands of highly nutritious meals
via continued donations of harvested game meat through our Sportsmen Against
Hunger program."
This was the 12th year that The
Salvation Army and the Safari Club International Foundation's Sportsmen Against
HungerTM program invited the community to enjoy a delicious, hot meal
(meatloaf & gravy, mashed potatoes, veggies, salad, bread, dessert and
drinks).
Guests included Salvation Army social service
clients, as well as folks from other agencies, shelters, and residents of many
low-income housing areas.
Other
sponsors: Reno Sparks Visitors & Convention
Bureau, C & M Food Distributing, Eldorado Hotel, Harrah's Reno, Model
Dairy, Sierra
SportService, SYSCO Food Services and Truckee Sourdough Company.
Hunters donated wild game meat to the event, which is
organized by The Salvation Army. SCI's Northern Nevada Chapter and
Multiple Use
Managers contributed 300 pounds of game, which was supplemented with 500 pounds
of ground beef that SCI purchased at cost from local vendors.
Nearly 180 volunteers
assisted with the event, including Safari Club International members, Salvation
Army Advisory Board members, Eldorado employees, High Sierra Chefs Association,
Wells Fargo, Sunrisers Kiwanis Club, Boy Scout Troop 152, members of the
McQueen High School football team.