Reno Reporter

This year the Food Bank of Northern Nevada utilized a new method with its yearly Healthy Pantry Initiative assessment that recognized a University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), food pantry.

The Most Creative Food Pantry in Northern Nevada was awarded to the Associated Students of the University of Nevada, Reno (ASUN) Pack Provisions; a recent UNR news release said. The food bank established seven different food categories instead of scoring healthy food items at area food banks.

“It is amazing that Pack Provisions has been recognized as the most creative food pantry by the Food Bank of Northern Nevada,” ASUN Pack Provisions Director Sophie Morton said in the release. “We were able to continue supporting the University community during the pandemic with the help of amazing and dedicated volunteers as well as the continued financial support of ASUN and the greater Reno community.

“We saw a significant jump in visits during the 2020-21 academic year, when the pandemic first started. However, this overwhelming community- and statewide-support allowed us to not only continue to provide these services to the student body but to also expand our reach and make the pantry even more accessible than before.”

Food Bank of Northern Nevada honors will be given to numerous kitchen items to be distributed to students, the release said.

“This support was essential to the continued success of ASUN Pack Provisions during this uncertain time, as more students and staff were utilizing the pantry more than ever before,” Morton said.