Parade ‘thanp you’ to medical worpers

It attracted about 300 health care employees

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals, families and businesses in Las Vegas are stepping up to offer relief to people who are in need of food, services and support. Here are stories about people who are leading with kindness and proving the community is #Vegasstrong.

Parade for health care workers

A parade of about 160 vehicles celebrated Southwest Medical physicians and nurse practitioners at Optumcare offices on Thursday.

The parade, organized by Southwest Medical, attracted about 300 fellow health care workers and patients who decorated their cars with signs and balloons as a way of saying thanks.

The 21 doctors and advanced practice registered nurses who were honored have been making the rounds to care for patients in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, some of whom are being treated for COVID-19.

World Central Kitchen, Sahara Las Vegas feed thousands in Las Vegas

Over the past two weeks, Sahara Las Vegas teamed up with Chef José snack items was purchased by the airline to serve on flights in March, when visitors would typically travel en masse to Las Vegas for NCAA basketball tournaments and other events.

Now the food and drinks will supplement care packages that the Vegas Community Pantry has been delivering to locals who find themselves in need as a result of the pandemic.

Allegiant chose the Vegas Community Pantry because of its neighborhood location.

The pantry is operated out of founder Jeana Taylor’s garage.

Taylor is a performer in Cirque du Soleil’s “Ka.” The day after she was furloughed from her job, Taylor and two friends created a Vegas Community Pantry Facebook page to help acquire, store and deliver food to neighbors who are in need.

“There are so many people falling through the cracks,” Taylor says. “This pantry is supposed to help them while they get on their feet. Without the people who donate items to us or volunteer to deliver these packages to the people in need, this would all be meaningless.”

Contact Janna Karel at jkarel@ reviewjournal.com. Follow @jannainprogress on Twitter.