Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

GUEST COLUMN:

Together we can make a difference in our community

Memorial Day and Juneteenth have come and gone but some of us are lucky to have a few extra pounds of meat in our freezer because we over-prepared for our cookouts. While it’s easy to justify spending time and money on our friends and family throughout the year, most people do not consider how these same gifts can help those who are less fortunate than us.

Believe it or not, this is much easier than some might think. You do not have to prepare sandwiches and drive downtown to hand out food on the corner.

Las Vegas has several programs, organizations and businesses that assist homeless people in accessing food, shelter, toiletries, and other essential goods and services.

One example is Las Vegas Rescue Mission, which provides hundreds of meals every day for those in need. It also operates a food pantry, emergency shelter and thrift store, and provides recovery services to help address some of the leading causes of homelessness.

Another example is the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, which provides help, hope and the support for homeless youths in Southern Nevada seeking to rebuild their lives. NPHY’s wraparound programs stabilize young people’s lives, meeting their immediate needs and providing a safe, supportive environment and a path to self-sufficiency.

Many of these entities accept donations every day. As an added benefit, those donating can request a receipt with an estimate of the value of their donation to be used as a tax write-off. But this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Volunteer opportunities are also available at many of these organizations.

Volunteering helps support the organizations’ mission and provides the opportunity to give back to adults and children in need by engaging in skills and knowledge you are passionate about. Volunteer opportunities can include everything from serving or preparing meals, to teaching music, arts, math or science; providing event coordination or support; or even tax preparation services; and much more.

Even those who don’t have the time or money to donate or volunteer directly can still help those in need by shopping at local businesses that are doing their part to help.

In Las Vegas, CardinaleWay Acura and CardinaleWay Mazda donate approximately $400 a week in food to the Las Vegas Rescue Mission and Catholic Charities. Most of the 22 Cardinale car dealerships on the West Coast take part in some way to provide those in need with weekly donations.

Tackling homelessness and helping those in need in our communities is a big endeavor. And the COVID-19 pandemic only increased these challenges as small businesses and charitable organizations alike struggled to stay afloat.

This is why it’s never been more important for businesses, organizations and Southern Nevada residents to work together for the good of everyone in our community.

It can be difficult to live up to our values and potential for good when daily life seems to get in the way and presents so many challenges. But you can start by asking the businesses you shop at regularly what charitable or community programs they are involved with and how you can support them or make a difference.

CardinaleWay is always looking to expand its reach to provide healthier lives for the homeless and build partnerships that could benefit the community as a whole. If you have ideas for how we can help, our team wants to hear from you.

But even if you don’t buy your next car from CardinaleWay, we hope you’ll consider volunteering for even one hour a month with a local charity.

You might be surprised to find that your support is as beneficial to you as it is to them.

Brandon Provo is social media director at CardinaleWay Las Vegas.