Consolidated Agencies of Human Services (CAHS), a nonprofit agency that serves families in Mineral County, has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the NV Energy Foundation for its Backpack Buddies Program.
Backpack Buddies provides low-income children with backpacks every Friday during the school year packed with enough food to last them through the weekend.
Although children from disadvantaged families are given free or reduced cost lunches at school during the week, they often may not be getting enough nutritious food at home during the weekend, explained CAHS executive director Carla Hemmer.
“Children can take the backpack home and leave the food in the bags until needed,” she explained. “The food is all nonperishable and doesn’t have to go into the refrigerator.”
During the 2013-14 school year, a total of 3,606 backpacks were sent home with Mineral County school children, she said, adding that the dollars from the NV Energy Foundation will be used to purchase food and for the program’s transportation costs.
CAHS provides a variety of human services programs in Mineral County, from maintaining a food pantry to rental and utility assistance and other emergency assistance to individuals and families in need. Their web address is www.cahsnv.org. Or you can follow them on Facebook.
The NV Energy Foundation, www.nvenergy.com/community, supports NV Energy’s charitable efforts and those of its employees. Through direct grants, scholarships and volunteerism, the foundation actively supports improvements in the quality of life in the communities NV Energy serves.
