Patrick Kratzer, Director of Hunger Relief Operations at Sierra Community House
Each September, we join the national movement to recognize Hunger Relief Action Month—a time to come together and and take action for the thousands of neighbors in North Tahoe-Truckee who face food insecurity. At Sierra Community House, we believe access to nutritious food is not only a basic right, but the foundation for strong families and a thriving community. As the only food pantry in North Lake Tahoe/Truckee, we supported 3,300 community members last year and rescued more than 69,000 pounds of food that would have otherwise gone to waste.
The need for food assistance in the community is growing. With budget cuts and reduced funding impacting programs like SNAP/CalFresh, families are feeling the strain just as support for food banks and pantries becomes more uncertain. This will put programs like ours pinched between increasing demand and decreasing supply, which makes our food rescue operation much more critical. That’s why we’re doubling down on efforts like food rescue with local grocers—turning surplus food into nourishing meals for our neighbors while also reducing waste and protecting our environment.
Every week, our team partners with local grocery stores and food producers to recover surplus food that would otherwise end up in landfills. This effort not only puts fresh, nourishing meals onto the tables of our neighbors—it also dramatically reduces greenhouse gas emissions from food waste. By rescuing food, we’re cutting methane emissions, conserving resources, and turning what could be waste into opportunity.
Hunger Relief Action Month is not just about awareness—it’s about action. Here are three ways you can join us right now:
- Donate: Join the $2.38 Plate Club, make a one-time gift, or participate in a virtual food drive. The $2.38 Plate Club represents the average cost of one plate of food in our hunger relief program.
- Volunteer: Become part of the solution by lending your hands and heart at our weekly food distributions or behind the scenes with food rescue.
- Advocate: Share our mission with your friends, family, and networks. Let’s lift up the voices of those impacted by food insecurity and push for policies that protect and strengthen food assistance.
We are fortunate to call this place home, and what makes it special is how we look out for one another. That spirit is what makes us a true community—not just a resort town or vacation hub. When neighbors face financial pressure and have to choose between paying bills or buying nutritious food, it affects us all. And when someone is stuck in the snow, has a flat tire, or needs a hand at the grocery store, it’s the community that shows up. Let’s work toward a future where every family has access to healthy food. Let’s be a resourceful community that refuses to squander what we have and instead turns challenges into opportunities to build the kind of place we all want to live.
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