Police partner to help the needy

Metro officers part of turkey distribution teamwork around valley

Las Vegas police piled cardboard boxes carrying more than 2,600 turkeys into vans and pickups Tuesday as officers prepared to hand out the Thanksgiving staple.

The Metropolitan Police Department distributed the turkeys Tuesday to families, shelters and churches in need of help.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Nevada donated the turkeys, while food bank Three Square supplied Thanksgiving sides such as beans, corn, stuffing, gravy and mashed potatoes, said Olivia Smith, community outreach manager for the health insurance company.

Needy Nevadans also got some holiday help Tuesday from County Commission Vice Chairman

Lawrence Weekly and several community partners, who provided Thanksgiving dinner to 300 families during A Day of Giving.

The families were pre-selected for the event, and each received a frozen turkey plus a box of ingredients to make side dishes.

A Day of Giving is supported by several community partners, including Metro, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Healthcare, Lerner and Rowe, Three Square, the LVMPD Foundation and the Clark County Fire Department.

As Nevadans continue to be affected by the coronavirus pandemic, Capt. Jack Owens, head of Metro’s support operations bureau, said the department this year can hand out nearly double the number of meals donated in 2019.

“This year obviously is a very challenging year for many in our community,” Owens said. “Not only with the virus, but all the challenges that have come up with that, economic challenges or people that have lost jobs, been out of work. This year the need is greater than ever before.”

Smith said this is the second year that Anthem has donated turkeys to send out to families.

Beeping forklifts echoed through the parking lot at Metro headquarters as volunteers and officers loaded the cardboard boxes into vehicles. Six uniformed officers with the downtown area command stacked dozens of the boxed turkeys into the back of a pickup truck.

Officer Orey Woods said many people who live near the downtown area command need extra help this year.

“It’s nice to help them get through the holidays,” he said. “It’s definitely a good feeling.”

Although the families benefiting from the meals were already selected, anyone may access food from Three Square. The organization’s website has a list of drive-through and walk-up pantries open throughout the valley.

People who need help finding food or people who are at least 60 and need home-delivered groceries can call 702-765-4030.

Benjamin Hager Las Vegas Review-journal @benjaminhphoto County Commission Vice Chairman Lawrence Weekly, middle, and Las Vegas police officer Curt Atwood walk food to vehicles Tuesday at Walnut Community Center during an event sponsored by Weekly and others to give Thanksgiving dinners to 300 families.

Hundreds of turkeys were donated for A Day of Giving at Walnut Community Center.

K.M. Cannon Las Vegas Review-journal @Kmcannonphoto Las Vegas police officers Megan Cortez and Mike Sian load Thanksgiving meal boxes Tuesday at Enterprise area command in Las Vegas. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Nevada sponsored the distribution of thousands of turkeys with fixings.