State of emergency

My favorite memories as a Boy Scout and church youth group leader always seem to center on community service opportunities.

Among the best was Emergency Aid’s annual food drive when we would go door-to-door passing out empty plastic bags to local residences on a weekday evening, then circle back on Saturday morning to collect and deliver the now-full bags to Emergency Aid’s loading docks on the side of the old Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) building. Not every household would donate, but many left bags on the curb brimming full of canned foods and other non-perishables to help those less fortunate. Some even added their own bags to donate extra. By the end of the drive, many truckloads of food were added to Emergency Aid’s storehouse.

In a similar spirit, my oldest son, Joseph, assembled a large force of volunteers to build food shelves for Emergency Aid as part of his Eagle Scout project a decade and a half ago. He and all those involved learned the incalculable value of giving to those in need.

Emergency Aid of Boulder City has been a mainstay of our town since the 1930s. Its mission is to provide emergency food and financial assistance to Boulder City residents and stranded travelers. It was incorporated in 1966 and remains a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Emergency Aid relies on federal, state and city grants, as well as private donations from local residents and organizations. Its two main functioning parts are its intake program and its food pantry.

Open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9-11 a.m., intake helps stranded travelers and Boulder City residents with financial hardships before those turn into a financial crisis. Financial aid may be used to help pay for rent, utilities, and other urgent needs. Appointments are recommended.

The on-site food pantry, on the other hand, assists needy residents with food. It is open every weekday except Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. The pantry is regularly stocked with fresh produce, frozen meat, and non-perishable staples. Personal hygiene products, clothing, and home goods are regularly available as well. In special cases, home delivery may be available.

Not everyone will qualify for assistance, however. Because of its affiliation with other government-assisted and donation-based agencies like Three Square and the federal Emergency Food Assistance Program, in many cases certain eligibility requirements must be met, such as income, public assistance, or residency requirements.

To register or get more information, visit Emergency Aid’s website at https://www.eabcnv.org, call 702-293-0332, or email them at info@eabcnv.org. You can also pay a personal visit during normal operating hours. Emergency Aid is located at 600 Nevada Way in the historic LADWP building at the corner of Nevada Way and Wyoming Street.

In addition to applying for grant funds, Emergency Aid strives to remain sustainable by supporting and participating in various special programs and events throughout the year to address specific needs. Among others, those programs and events include Boulder City Angels (formerly Angel Tree), Backpacked &READY to gather and distribute school supplies, the postal carrier food drive known as Stamp Out Hunger, local parades, and the holiday bell ringers.

Of course, Emergency Aid could never survive without its dedicated collection of volunteers. Currently, they’re fortunate to have approximately 50 regular volunteers and many more for special events, where volunteers are sorely needed and greatly appreciated.

Volunteer opportunities abound at Emergency Aid. Those include sorting food, restocking shelves and refrigerators/freezers, picking up donations from homes, unloading donations from vehicles, carrying groceries to cars, and tidying, cleaning and organizing the offices and pantry areas. Volunteers can also assist by interviewing clients to determine eligibility for assistance, entering computer data, completing paperwork, filing, copying, organizing, shredding, collating, and helping with the organization’s newsletter. Assisting with seasonal events or short-term projects is also an option. Training is provided.

Finally, like most nonprofits, donations are naturally the lifeblood of Emergency Aid. In addition to monetary donations, food, personal care products, gift cards, and household items are always appreciated and help Emergency Aid fill the ever-present, urgent needs of its recipients. Bring your monetary and in-kind donations to the LADWP Building during operating hours, or mail any donations by cash or checks to Emergency Aid of Boulder City, Inc., PO Box 60673, Boulder City, NV 89006-0673. You can also visit their website to find additional drop-off locations or see a list of items that Emergency Aid currently needs most. The website also advertises Emergency Aid-related events, including upcoming community resource, food distribution, and Halloween events.

On my morning jogs, I’m often delighted to see Jerry and Lori McHugh out walking the streets as well. They and the other friendly volunteers at Emergency Aid are most eager for all of us to join them in their collective campaign to serve our community and be good neighbors.

“For I was hungry, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me … . And the King shall answer and say unto them, … Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matt. 25:35-36, 40).