Non-profit, Serving our Kids Foundation, hosted a contactless, drive-thru food drive in December, to provide 3500 weekend meal bags for 70 Clark County Schools. These kids do not receive weekend food bags from any backpack or other governmental programs, but still face empty plates on the weekends. Organization representatives estimate the actual number of kids requiring weekend meals to be 8,000 to 10,000.
“We are so grateful to Clark County Medical Society Alliance, Southwest Medical Associates and OptumCare for hosting this drive to help feed kids in our community who fall through the traditional social services safety net from going hungry. These donations are critical, now more than ever, due to the holidays and distance learning in schools.” said Patricia Farley, chair of the Serving Our Kids Foundation’s board. “Having Vegas Wish and the Angel Fire Department with their truck will be a fun welcome for our food donors and families and we appreciate their support!”
Vegas Wish and Angel Fire also greeted cars in the drive through and gifting donors with kid’s Cowabunga Bay Las Vegas 2021 tickets, as a thank you. Event sponsors included Clark County Medical Society Alliance, Southwest Medical Associates, OptumCare and SOS Radio.
The Serving Our Kids warehouse in Henderson serves as the distribution center and site for volunteer activities. It is located at 121 Industrial Park Road, Suite 110. For information, donations and volunteering, visit https://www.servingourkids.org or call 702-358-1056.
About Serving Our Kids Foundation
Serving our Kids Foundation is dedicated to feeding and serving the needs of Clark County children. While there are governmental programs and other organizations that provide children in need with breakfast and lunch on weekdays during school, weekends can be an issue. Since 2012, Serving Our Kids has stepped in to fill the weekend nutrition gap of vulnerable kids and now assists 3,500 children, grades K-8, in 70 schools who would otherwise go hungry. Referrals for weekend food bags are up 27 percent over last year, but the actual number of kids needing weekend nutrition assistance is estimated between 8,000 to 10,000. The nonprofit organization mobilizes the strength of community volunteers and donations. In addition to non-perishable food items, personal care items also are collected. For information, donations, volunteering and partnership opportunities, visit https://www.servingourkids.org or call 702-358-1056.
About the Clark County Medical Society Alliance:
CCMSA was officially chartered with the Nevada State Medical Association Alliance (NSMAA) and the national affiliate the American Medical Association Alliance (AMAA) in 1949. CCMSA is a non-profit service organization comprised of spouses of members of the Clark County Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Primarily a service organization, CCMSA focuses on health-related needs in the community, initiating their own projects or providing volunteer hours and monetary assistance to charitable organizations or groups. Members’ special interests are also accommodated, with groups organized on subjects such as parenting, literature, food, and crafts. When called upon by the Clark County Medical Society, CCMSA also provides them with support on their projects.
About Southwest Medical Associates and OptumCare:
Southwest Medical, part of OptumCareTM, was founded in Las Vegas in 1972 and is Nevada’s largest multispecialty medical group with over 400 local health care providers through Southwest Medical and OptumCare Specialty and Primary Care, including seven convenient care centers, six urgent care centers, two outpatient surgery centers and two community centers catering to older adults, plus access to a network of 800 providers throughout Southern Nevada.
Our full spectrum of health care services includes Southwest Medical Hospice, improving the quality of life for people experiencing a terminal illness. We bring care and comfort home to our patients through Home Health Services, Home Care Plus and Total Home Care and Palliative Care, part of the continuum of care for all stages of a person’s life. For more than four decades we have provided this experienced, compassionate, innovative and high-quality care to patients throughout Southern Nevada. From our 24-hour urgent care center to industry-leading technology such as convenient e-visits and online options like the NowClinic® telemedicine platform, Southwest Medical’s goal is to bring patients the health care they want, the way they want it.
About Vegas Wish:
Vegas Wish a 501c3 non profit organization, which began after the Oct 1, Las Vegas shooting. Vegas wish makes wishes come true for kids – adults – families – pets – locals – out of towners – other non-profits – homeless – individuals financially struggling – cancer patients – autism – down syndrome – disabled- veterans – all awarenesses – and local heroes in Las Vegas. Vegas wish uplifts the city through life changing experiences like gifting knights games, aviators games, all sporting games, concerts, free movie nights, kid friendly fundraising events, awareness events, random acts of kindness, local hero recognitions, and helping put smiles on faces everywhere they go. And So much more. Follow Vegas Wish on all social media platforms, @vegas_wish.
About Angel Fire Department:
Angel Fire Dept is a non-profit organization created for kids who are sick or injured, terminally ill, families, wounded warriors, military families, burn victims, Fire Departments and so many more who are at their worst and need a little boost up… We bring a smile and a few moments of happiness to those who need it most… We are also doing Fire Safety and Prevention for kids and Seniors! For more information, visit angelfiredepart.org.