New Changes for the Reno Center of Influence
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he Reno Center of Influence has been providing support and assistance to the community of Reno for eight years, and as the needs of Reno are changing, so are the services they offer. Starting in early 2023, the Reno chapter of Volunteers of America began renting space in the Center of Influence building. Volunteers of America helps provide housing assistance, employment services, and addiction recovery programs. All the services they offer are a great addition to those already being provided at the Center. The Center’s food pantry appears to be growing almost daily. The Sparks church and Volunteers of America will be combining their food pantries with the already bustling one located at the Center. Currently, there are distribution operating hours four days a week, with plans to increase that soon to six days a week. Because of the increasing volume of clients, Delberth Castillo, director of the Center of Influence, is working on some much-needed improvements. Construction has already begun to create space to accommodate more shoppers in the pantry at one time. They are also working on purchasing more refrigerators and freezers in which the perishable items can be stored and displayed. Contributions to the food pantry come from a diversity of donors. While most of the food comes from large stores like Costco, Smart and Final, Grocery Outlet, and the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, a significant amount of donations come from individuals. As people observe the great work being done by the food pantry, they are impressed and want to help in whatever way they can—even if it is just dropping off a bag of food or feminine hygiene products or diapers. Many of the volunteers at the pantry have no affiliation with the Adventist church but have been so impressed by what they have seen that they choose to donate their time every week. According to one volunteer, Berta, “It is such a blessing to be here and serve the people coming in.” One woman saw the great impact the Center of Influence had while assisting her daughter; she wanted to help support the work there. Being the owner of a local cleaning business, she now donates her services to keep the Center of Influence a clean, safe, and welcoming place. Often people come to the food pantry even though they don’t really need the food. Castillo says, “Sometimes people will Volunteers and come to the food pantry just because they know clients alike it’s a Christian place. They just want some Christian are abundantly interaction or even someone to pray with them.” blessed by the NUC Center In John 21:17, Jesus tells Peter to “feed my sheep.” of Influence Whether He meant that in the physical sense or outreach. the spiritual sense, the volunteers at the Center of Influence food pantry are finding that providing for people’s physical hunger is opening doors to offer some spiritual food as well. ____________________ By Moriah Ward
40 Pacific Union Recorder
Nevada-Utah Conference