Las Vegas Tackles Food Insecurity with New Alliance

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Volunteers from Food Rescue Alliance packing fresh meals for local families in need.

News Summary

In a concerted effort to combat food insecurity, Las Vegas’ Food Rescue Alliance, a collaboration between The Venetian and The Just One Project, has delivered over 83,000 meals this year to assist families facing hunger. The initiative repurposes excess food from events and works with various non-profits to expand its reach. Community volunteers have dedicated over 800 hours to support the mission, which has already made a significant impact in the fight against food waste and insecurity in the area.

Las Vegas is taking significant strides to combat food insecurity as thousands of residents struggle with rising food prices. The Food Rescue Alliance, a partnership between The Venetian and the non-profit organization The Just One Project, is expanding its outreach to help more community members in need.

In 2023 alone, the program has successfully delivered over 83,000 fresh meals to individuals facing hunger. The initiative collects excess food from conventions and events at The Venetian, packages it into boxes, and distributes it through The Just One Project to assist those who are food insecure.

The collaboration addresses crucial logistical challenges associated with food donation, ensuring that surplus food does not go to waste but instead supports local families. Volunteers have played a vital role, contributing over 800 hours of service since January to support the Food Rescue Alliance’s mission. This community effort has already resulted in the rescue of between 10,000 to 20,000 meals per month, making a substantial impact on food insecurity in the area.

Community Support and Expansion

The Food Rescue Alliance has also broadened its impact by partnering with additional non-profits, including Shine A Light, Freedom House, City Impact, and Hero School. This expansion allows the initiative to reach more people and provide even greater support to those experiencing food insecurity.

Community feedback on the program has been overwhelmingly positive, with many families reporting that the food provided has significantly helped them, often offering multiple meals for their households. This local success has not gone unnoticed, as recognition has even come from the White House for the efforts made to tackle hunger and food waste.

Addressing Food Waste

The alarming reality is that food waste accounts for 23% of the total waste generated by Las Vegas Sands, the parent company of The Venetian. To address this issue systematically, The Venetian and The Just One Project are working closely to redirect perfectly good food toward those in need rather than allowing it to be wasted. Other casino operators in Las Vegas, including MGM Resorts International, are also implementing sustainability programs focused on food recovery and waste reduction.

Since 2016, MGM has managed to donate 1.2 million pounds of food, providing over 1 million meals to support local families. Leading resorts, such as Caesars Entertainment and Las Vegas Sands, have begun collaborative corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives that tackle food waste and food insecurity head-on.

Legislative Support and Collaboration

Legislation supporting food donation efforts has also been established in Nevada, notably through the introduction of the 2019 bill SB178, which aims to encourage food recovery and reduce food waste statewide. The Nevada Resort Association is facilitating collaboration among over 70 resorts, promoting community partnerships aimed at addressing food waste and insecurity throughout Las Vegas.

As the Food Rescue Alliance continues to grow and integrate with other initiatives across the Strip, the collective efforts of Las Vegas hospitality companies highlight a strong commitment to ensuring that excess food is repurposed for the benefit of those in need, rather than allowing it to go to waste. This collaborative approach signifies a hopeful step forward in addressing the ongoing challenge of food insecurity in Southern Nevada.