LAS VEGAS – Project 150, a local nonprofit that provides homeless, displaced and disadvantaged high school students with basic necessities, added fresh food to its menu two years ago, when it installed a walk-in cooler. Now, the homegrown nonprofit is adding a walk-in freezer to provide more fresh and frozen food for high school students and their families.
On Wednesday, April 28, students from College of Southern Nevada’s Western Center (HVAC Center of Excellence located at Western High School) are installing a commercial-quality walk-in freezer that is 6 feet x 10 feet at Project 150’s facility near Rancho Drive and Gowan Road.
“We’re excited to again be partnering with CSN’s HVAC Center,” said Kelli Kristo, Project 150 executive director. “With the help of students who are studying HVAC, we’ll be able to increase our ability to distribute a higher quality of food to students who need it the most.”
Project 150 purchased the building materials needed for this project, while the labor needed to install the freezer is being donated. When finished, the all-metal storage space design will enable better performance and extend the life of food products provided by Project 150.
Historically, Project 150’s food distribution program delivered cases of non-perishable food directly to 63 Southern Nevada high schools every week. But when schools closed in March 2020 because of COVID-19, many students served by Project 150 were left without a steady source of food. Project 150 reimagined the program by creating a contactless curbside food pick-up program offered Monday through Saturday at its building.
About Project 150
Project 150 is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization, founded in December 2011 by local businessmen Don Purdue and Patrick Spargur. The two heard about 150 homeless high school students at Rancho High School in Las Vegas who were in need of support over the Christmas break. Since that time, Project 150 has expanded and now serves more than 5,900 registered and non-registered homeless, displaced and disadvantaged high-school students in more than 63 high schools in Southern Nevada. Project 150 provides these students with food, clothing, school supplies, sports equipment, shoes, college scholarships, workforce readiness, and other needs so they can continue school and be successful in life. Visit Project 150 at www.project150.org.
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