North Lake Tahoe Bonanza: Once the Incline Village and Crystal Bay communities learned about the needs at Project MANA for its annual Thanksgiving Program, the community responded.
George LeBard, executive director of Project MANA, said the food agency distributed about 500 Thanksgiving meals on Saturday in Incline Village, Kings Beach and Truckee. The meals were made up of a turkey and all the trimmings for the meal.
Many of the turkeys were donated by local residents after LeBard announced to the community about two weeks ago that Project MANA was in need of birds for the holiday to feed families in the area.
“Everything went really well,” LeBard said. And, because he is still receiving donations, he is able to continue to provide for those still coming for food.
The annual Thanksgiving Program for families recommended by agencies, schools or churches is Project MANA’s main holiday distribution. This year Project MANA served almost 100 more families than in 2007. The community made it possible even with the additional needs for Project MANA to continue its Thanksgiving tradition that dates back to more than 10 years.
Tuesday, the Project MANA kitchen was the location for a demonstration on how to cook your Thanksgiving meal.
Help came from the JROTC Highlander Battalion at Incline High School that not only has been holding a food drive but also provided cadets to help sort donations of the food. Dickson Realty, The Rotary Club of Incline Village, the Boy Scouts of Troop 37, Chase International Realty along with many other individuals and organizations have donated frozen turkeys, nonperishable food and cash. Another 100 pounds of food was collected at Sierra Nevada College over the weekend and also the Lake Tahoe School collected food during its garage sale.
The food drives will continue through December and are needed to help provide the daily needs for families coming to Project MANA. Food will be in constant demand throughout the months ahead, so all donations coming in will be helping throughout the month.
Jean Eick
Bonanza Community Editor
Ways to get involved:
Project MANA
Food and cash or check donations (made out to Project MANA) can be delivered to Project MANA located in the he Donald W. Reynolds Community Non-Profit Center at 948 Incline Way.
North Lake Tahoe Bonanza
Food and cash or check donations (made out to Project MANA) can be dropped off at the North Lake Tahoe Bonanza office at 925 Tahoe Blvd. Suite 206.
Boy Scout Troop 37/Chase International Realty
The Scouts and Chase International Realty are still accepting donations of nonperishable food items as well as cash donations at the Chase Office, 917 Tahoe Blvd. Suite 100.
Incline High School JROTC
Anyone wanting to donated canned goods, cash and other nonperishable food items can take them to the JROTC Building at Incline High School until Dec. 9.
La Petite Styling
The salon is accepting nonperishable groceries at 8160 North Lake Blvd. in Kings Beach. For information can Francesca at (775) 450-3261 or Jessica at (775) 527-1769.