A new 4,000-square-foot food hub in Dayton will help the Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey Counties receive, store and distribute more food to pantries serving residents throughout Lyon County.
Community members, volunteers and partner organizations celebrated the expansion Oct. 16 with a grand opening and ribbon cutting at the coalition’s campus, 209 Dayton Valley Road.
The building will serve as both an expanded Dayton Food Pantry and a regional distribution hub supporting the coalition’s pantries in Silver Springs and Yerington.
HCC Deputy Director Noel Chounet said the additional space will allow the coalition to purchase and receive food in bulk, then distribute it to the other pantries.
“The primary goal of this project is to increase our overall capacity for supporting Lyon County residents needing food supports across the county,” Chounet said.
According to the coalition, demand for food assistance at its three pantries has risen steadily.
The project enclosed and expanded an existing pavilion at HCC’s Dayton campus. Funding came through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, administered through the Nevada Department of Agriculture’s Division of Food and Nutrition. The award also funded four insulated sheds for additional food storage and a paved parking area beside the building.
Inside, the new facility includes walk-in freezers and refrigerators, expanded shelving and larger client-choice shopping areas. It also provides private office space and additional room for community partners offering assistance related to SNAP, veterans’ services, WIC and Medicare.
HCC Executive Director Wendy Madson described the facility as more than a building.
“It represents an investment in people—and a commitment to hope, help, and compassion,” Madson said. “It will help build hope, strengthen our community, and create a welcoming space for connections.”
She credited donors, volunteers and community partners with helping bring the project to life.
The grand-opening celebration, called “Pantry Palooza and Fill the Pantry,” included a ribbon cutting, remarks from coalition leadership and food prepared by volunteers and Reno chef Jonathan Chapin.
Chapin donated his time and prepared an assortment of dishes, including pulled pork sliders, smoked chicken thighs, pasta salads and vegetarian options. The event also featured a cake designed by Dayton High School culinary students and lumpia and other treats provided by volunteer Lolita Lynn.
In a message following the celebration, the coalition thanked the community partners, volunteers, business owners, donors, staff, board members, educators, farmers and neighbors who attended.
Food pantries offer more than groceries, the coalition noted. They also provide connections, companionship, referrals to other services and a sense of belonging.
More information about Healthy Communities Coalition is available at healthycomm.org.
Comment
Comments