Salvation Army hoping residents help fill pantry

Residents will be asked to look into their hearts to help the less fortunate on Make a Difference Day, this Saturday.

Each year, Summerlin residents are asked to donate food to restock the pantry of the Salvation Army. A collection point that day is slated to be at the Smith's Food and Drug, 2211 N. Rampart Blvd., from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

On hand at the grocery store will be celebrities John Daly, host of "Real TV" who was once a local news anchorman, former Los Angeles Raiders' running back Napoleon McCallum and members of the Las Vegas Gladiators.

KVVU-TV, Channel 5's morning weatherman Ted Pretty and reporter Heidi Hayes will act as co-hosts for the event.

Daley said this is the fourth year he's been involved in the food drive, calling it a good way to give back to the community and "a ton of fun."

Daley joked that the athletic McCallum would pull in the hero-worshipping men and adoring women while his presence would give the food drive credibility.

Asked why people step up to the plate and help even though the economy is down and unemployment numbers high, he gave two reasons.

"A lot of people give because they realize how lucky they are to have jobs," he said. "They, too, could be just a few steps away from needing help. They're banking points."

He also said those who are wealthy and will never need help are just plain generous.

"I've been to a lot of communities and I've never seen a more giving community than Las Vegas," Daley said. "I've been blown away by the amount of money and services people give here. It's the most giving town I've ever been in."

The donated food will be assembled into food boxes that are designed to feed a family of four for one week. Each one contains a number of set food items including two cans of vegetables, two boxes of macaroni and cheese, two boxes of dried soup mix, two boxes of cereal and two cans of soup.

People are asked to donate those items as well as other nonperishables like rice, dried beans, peanut butter, a bag of rice or two cans of meat (tuna, turkey or chicken). Families with infants also need diapers, baby food and baby formula.

For the homeless, personal items like toothbrushes, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, shampoo and disposable razors are needed.

Joe Vassallo, owner of Paragon Pools, does things on a grand scale. He has been known to take a whole grocery cart and go around the store tossing in various non-perishable items. After it's filled to the brim, he checks out, then rolls the cart over to the volunteers and tells them it's all theirs.

Make a Difference Day has been called a "National Day to Help Others." Groups around the valley will be pitching in to do their part. Merryhill Schools, for example, is known for holding a book drive to help.

Various Girl Scout troops will be once again joining forces to pick up litter.

Call Tina Jeeves at 870-7050 to order a card.

Sponsors of the Summerlin food drive include Smith's, Paragon Pools, Daly Productions, Digital Pro Graphics, and OTOMIX.


<<--[back]