Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
Charity receives $100K worth of meat to feed hungry
Donations include face masks, money, meats
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals, families and businesses in Las Vegas are stepping up to offer relief to people in need of food, services and support.
Here are stories about people who are leading with kindness and proving that the community is #VegasStrong. Offers are valid at the time of posting and may change.
Senior makes reusable face masks
About seven years ago, Lynn Noonan joined the sewing club at Sun City Anthem, where she and other members focused on creating clothes for American Girl dolls. But last week, 70-year-old Noonan began sewing face masks instead. So far, she has made and shipped more than 100 masks to friends and family in Las Vegas, Iowa and Ohio.
When a nurse at Summerlin Hospital posted on community app NextDoor that she was in search of a fabric mask to wear over her medical mask, which she has to reuse, Noonan and her husband let her know that they could make and deliver some for her and other nurses.
“I like doing things for other people,” Noonan said.
Freedom Meats donates products
When several casinos and Las Vegas restaurants closed their doors, Freedom Meats CEO Jeff Pugh was left with a full inventory of meat products and very few buyers.
“The reality: I can sit on it, freeze it, wait for the casinos to open back up and slowly get going again,” Pugh said. “Or I can help the community now.”
Pugh contacted Elizabeth Blau after learning about her efforts to feed people through the collaborative Delivering With Dignity program, and he offered to provide her with $100,000 in meat products that chefs at Honey Salt could prepare, package and deliver to the hungry.
“I think we provided over 5,000 meals last week between Honey Salt, Graffiti Bao, the Jolt and Zappos Cares,” Blau said. “We’re supported by generous people like Jeff Pugh.”
Last week, Pugh donated about $6,000 worth of chicken, pork, bacon, steak and brisket for restaurant chefs to turn into meals such as chicken paella and spaghetti Bolognese. .
“I know $100,000 can have a huge impact to keep people fed when they’re stuck at home,” Pugh said.
Nevada Gold Mines gives $1.5M
Nevada Gold Mines is working with the state of Nevada to identify immediate needs and provide financial and logistical support to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on local communities.
The company committed an initial $1.5 million to the Nevada COVID-19 response, relief and recovery task force formed by Gov. Steve Sisolak. The task force brings together community and business leaders to help find solutions to the community’s many needs.
In Southern Nevada, the company has committed $100,000 to Three Square food bank. Executive Managing Director Greg Walker said the company recognized that extraordinary times called for extraordinary measures.