The Food Bank of Northern Nevada partners with five local groups to host special food pantries that provide free food for seniors called Golden Groceries Pantries. These food pantries are open during special hours for seniors who can choose what they want from the shelves or from a list of available items in the pantry. They try to stock senior-friendly choices that are healthy and easy to prepare. Choices may include canned or packaged goods, dairy, meats, and fresh fruits and vegetables—just like shopping at the grocery store—except it’s free!

Reno Housing Authority (RHA) just opened a new Golden Groceries Food Pantry at its Tom Sawyer Village Community Center at 2565 Tom Sawyer Dr., Reno. It is open on the first and third Thursdays of each month from 10:30 am to 11:30 am for all RHA residents and community members 55 years or older. Seniors fill out a brief intake form and show proof of age. There are no other requirements to receive food. The new pantry is conveniently located among 300 RHA senior residents and hundreds more seniors living in the neighborhood. RHA Executive Director Dr. Hilary Lopez stated, “We’re proud to be one more agency fighting hunger in our community.”

RHA partnered with the Food Bank of Northern Nevada for equipment and operational training and the Greater Nevada Credit Union donated $1,500 to purchase food and resupply the pantry as needed. 

In its first weeks, over 50 seniors came to shop at the new pantry.  “We want to spread the word that we are now open and ready to help seniors get the healthy food they need. We would love to have more volunteers help us stock our shelves on Wednesdays to get ready for our Thursday shoppers,” says Cathy Steed RHA Senior Services Coordinator. If you can help, please contact her at [email protected].

The timing for the new senior pantry couldn’t be better because the only walking-distance grocery store near RHA recently closed. Also, COVID-19 benefits programs just ended, and the cost of living is increasing, so many seniors on fixed incomes must choose between buying food, paying rent, going to the doctor, and other necessities. Many are going hungry.

This holiday season, think of the seniors in our community who cannot afford to buy enough food. Be generous with your time or your financial assistance to programs that help our senior community. Invite a senior friend for a holiday meal help with gifts at the Angel Trees or Be a Santa to a Senior Tree that you see around town.  For more information, please contact me at 775 240 2745 or [email protected]. Happy Holidays to one and all!!

Other Golden Groceries Pantries in Washoe County serving seniors 60 and older are:

Community Food Pantry, 1135 12th St, Sparks –   Fridays  9 -10a 

Sparks Christian Fellowship, 510 Greenbrae, Sparks – Wednesdays     9-10a

Adventist Community Services, 1095 Taylor, Reno – Thursdays  10-11a

Black Wall Street, 1301 Cordone, #LL40, Reno – Monday-Friday   9a-3p; seniors skip the line

Other Food Bank Programs that come to RHA to serve all community seniors 60 and older:  

Produce on Wheels – 1st & 3rd Tues.  9-10a – Free fresh fruits/vegetables; no income proof

Senior Nutrition & Wellness – 2nd Wed. 9-10a – Free commodity box; low-income proof