The Bank of America Charitable Foundation announced $230,000 in grants to 20 local nonprofits dedicated to hunger relief and basic human services.
The grants are part of Bank of America’s broader philanthropic strategy focusing on housing, jobs and hunger to help individuals and families in Las Vegas lead stronger financial lives.
The organizations receiving funding include Three Square Food Bank, Nevada Homeless Alliance Inc., The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Create A Change Now and Huntridge Teen Clinic.
In 2014, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation gave more than $2 million to the southern Nevada community in the form of grants and partnerships. Additionally, local employees volunteered more than 10,000 hours.
In total, these grants will impact approximately 350,000 southern Nevadans and provide nearly 500,000 meals and other basic human services.
Three Square recognizes agency partners
Three Square Food Bank held its fourth annual Agency Appreciation Breakfast to recognize the effort and dedication of approximately 270 agency partners. These agencies provide direct assistance to more than 305,000 individuals struggling with food insecurity in Southern Nevada. Through their efforts, these agencies helped Three Square in 2014 alone distribute more than 34 million pounds of food and grocery product, equivalent to 28 million meals. The event featured guest speaker Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman and a performance by Caesars Entertainment “Comedy in Action” headliner Jeff Civillico. Three Square president and CEO Brian Burton recognized Truth Christian Ministries International as “Agency of the Year.” TCMI distributed more than 94,000 pounds of food in its first year alone, and 2.6 million pounds of food in the four years since. It already has served more than 60,000 people this year.
Chapman donates to Komen campaign
Chapman Warm Springs auto dealership donated $4,300 to the Susan G. Komen of Southern Nevada chapter Nov. 10. Throughout October, Chapman Warm Springs’ Tickled Pink campaign raised $50 for each car sold. General sales manager Lawrence Ennis lost his mother to breast cancer in 2011, and has been committed to increasing awareness and finding a cure.
Conn’s holds book reading
Conn’s Inc., a furniture and home goods retailer based in Houston, marked the opening of its milestone 100th store — in North Las Vegas — with a reading party at a local school. Through its philanthropic program, Conn’s Cares, executives and local employees visited Quannah McCall Elementary to donate 1,000 books and a furniture set to serve as a “book reading nook” in the school’s library. Conn’s CEO Norm Miller read to the school’s 60 third-graders to begin the reading party. Conn’s also presented the school with a Little Free Library for the students to care for. Conn’s is donating more than $300,000 worth of new books in 2015 with its partner, First Book, a social enterprise that puts new books in the hands of children.
City National accepting grant bids
City National Bank is accepting applications for grants to support literacy and financially based literacy projects at public and private elementary, middle and high schools in five states. This year’s program will award up to $75,000 in literacy and financial literacy grants. Recipients will be provided with up to $500 to create, augment or expand literacy projects aimed at improving student achievement. Awards can also be used for books, videos, CDs, DVDs, computer software or hardware. Any full-time teacher, librarian or administrator at schools where City National has offices is eligible. Applicants from the same school may apply individually or as part of a team. Each team may receive up to $1,500. Educators interested in applying can access an online application by visiting readingisthewayup.org.
Allstate Foundation awards $1,000 grant
Soroptimist International of Greater Las Vegas received a $1,000 grant from the Allstate Foundation in honor of member Allstate agent Misty Chadwick and her volunteer work. Chadwick presented the grant to past president Sue Cavaco and current president Diana Walla. Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that works to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. The group partners with Allstate and their commitment to making hometowns better. The Allstate Foundation contributes $29 million annually to community projects.
Bank awards $20,000 grant
Nevada State Bank, in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, awarded a $20,000 AHEAD grant to Golden Rainbow of Nevada Inc. Golden Rainbow will use the grant funds, administered by Nevada State Bank, to make improvements to its donated office space to better serve those who have HIV or AIDS. The organization provides affordable and comfortable housing and direct financial assistance to men, women and children living with HIV or AIDS in Southern Nevada. The organization, founded by members of the entertainment industry, also is dedicated to supporting HIV- and AIDS-related education.
Three Square benificiary of donations
With support by the Bennett Family Foundation and AARP, Nevada Public Radio gave listeners an opportunity to help food-insecure individuals in Southern Nevada. During September’s Hunger Action Month and throughout October, NVPR’s sustaining, renewing or new members who selected the “Three Square Thank-You Gift” option elected to have the Bennett Family Foundation and AARP Nevada pay for meals to Three Square Food Bank. The campaign this year raised $28,012, equating to 84,035 meals. Also, Tyson Foods teamed with the National Association of Convenience Stores to assist Three Square with a donation of a truckload of protein-based products. Three Square will distribute the food through its network of agency partners, providing daily meals and pantry services to struggling Nevadans. Tyson Foods’ “KNOW Hunger” campaign is focused on helping more people understand and join the effort to eliminate hunger in America. The company partners with Feeding America, Share Our Strength and Lift Up America to raise awareness. Earlier, Tyson Foods announced its renewed commitment to hunger relief by pledging $50 million in cash and in-kind donations over the next five years. With this latest donation, Tyson Foods has provided nearly 470,000 pounds of product to Three Square throughout the years. To learn more about Three Square Food Bank in Las Vegas and its hunger-relief efforts, visit threesquare.org.
America First Credit Union donates to students
Employees of America First Credit Union played an important role for the students of Gibson Middle School during its back-to-school school supply drive, donating 33 backpacks, 26 binders, 73 folders, 127 spiral notebooks, 76 boxes of pencils, 27 packages of pens and other items to be allocated to underprivileged students.