Program provides baskets

     By Damon Hodge
     View staff writer
      HELP needs your help.
      HELP of Southern Nevada is in the midst of its Thanksgiving basket program and needs a healthy infusion of food to feed a record number of families.
      Last year, the 13-year-old program provided dinner baskets to 440 families, according to Tony Grimm, information and referral manager for the nonprofit. This year's goal is 500 baskets.
      "We're really short on carrots, onions and potatoes," said Wanda Bonillas, information and referral agent, adding other miscellaneous items such as crackers, margarine and olives are also needed. "Normally we give away 3,000 pounds each of carrots, onions and potatoes. We haven't reached that goal yet, we're trying."
      The dinner baskets include a turkey, a can each of vegetables, cranberries and fruits - fresh if available - a package each of stuffing and dinner rolls and dessert.
      Families must pass a screening to qualify for a basket. Bonillas said families referred by agencies handling low-income housing such as the Las Vegas Housing Authority can skip the screening process because HELP operates under similar guidelines.
      "Every year we feed more families," Grimm said. "Two years ago, we fed 361 families. Last year, we fed 440. This year we expect to feed at least 500 families."
      HELP has set up 50 food drop-off points in churches, businesses, schools and government offices around town. Volunteers are needed to help the Las Vegas Junior League's Done-in-a-Day committee on Sunday with sorting the 30,000-plus food items Grimm expects to fill his office.
      The baskets will be distributed to pre-screened families on Tuesday and Wednesday between 8 a.m. and noon each day. Families will be assigned a certain time to to pick up their baskets.
      Cash donations are also welcome, Grimm said. Donations should be made to HELP of Southern Nevada, 953 35B E. Sahara Ave., Suite 208, and must be received by Friday.
      Those interested in participating in the screening process can call Tony Grimm at 369-4357.
      HELP of Southern Nevada is a 28-year-old group helping individuals and families to become self-sufficient through offerings such as weatherization, information and referral services, community alternative sentencing, family resource centers and a displaced homemakers program. To date, the 13-year-old food program has fed more than 3,000 families.