Project MANA - A Hunger Relief Agency

North Lake Tahoe Bonanza: Connie Ludtke and Leticia Ricardes would be happy to volunteer their time in exchange for food and school supplies, kitchenware and snow boots. Now they can through a new service offered by Project MANA.

Project MANA, a local non profit that aims to reduce hunger and connect clients with community resources, has launched a pilot project in Incline Village that allows clients to shop using points acquired through volunteer work.

Project MANA distributes food to the needy three days a week in Incline, Kings Beach and Truckee but, until now, the organization has lacked the means to connect further with food recipients, said executive director George LeBard.

"People just came for food, but we didn't have much of a relationship with them," he said. "We were looking for a way to change that."

By coincidence, Safeway grocery stores recently made a change to corporate policy. The food chain has been donating edible goods to Project MANA for some time, but now Safeway can also donate non-food items such as seasonal goods, cookware, office supplies and toys.

LeBard and his staff used the influx of new products to set up a shop in the Parasol Foundation of Incline Village. Now, when clients arrive for the weekly food distribution, they can sign up for needs assessments, community classes or to volunteer with a number of local organizations.

For every needs assessment, hour spent volunteering, or class attended, clients earn points to redeem in the store.

One pair of children's snow boots costs five points, a dozen glasses can be bought for 10 points. Products include children's books, ice chests, roasting pans and more. No cash is exchanged.

"I've always wanted to help Project MANA, and now I have the option," Ludtke said. "We wouldn't be able to still be living here without some of these programs."

The interest in volunteering has been strong, LeBard said, and community members have been showing up daily to earn their points.

By participating in a needs assessment (50 points), family advocates can connect clients with any other services they might need, such as the Truckee and North Tahoe Family Resource Centers, Tahoe Women's Services and the Children's Cabinet, LeBard said.

Thursday marked the grand opening of the Incline store, and LeBard said he would like to see stores open in Kings Beach and Truckee by the end of March, though locations are yet to be determined.

Christine Stanley
Bonanza News Service