LSSN is excited to once again be hosting programs to give additional support to people during the most joyous time of year, allowing Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas blessings where there would otherwise be none. Our contact person for both Thanksgiving and Christmas is Derrick Felder at 702-639-1730 ext. 16 or info@lssnv.org . Please refer any questions to him.

Our Thanksgiving distribution will be held on the Friday before Thanksgiving: November 18th. Last year, we were able to distribute 327 turkeys and an additional 13,713 pounds of trimmings to seniors and families through our partnership with the Housing Authority. This year, we hope to do even more...with your help.

Our volunteer needs are as follows:

1) Volunteers are needed during the week of November 14th to help assemble the meal baskets. This will be in the mornings of these days, here at LSSN. Ten volunteers per day would be appreciated.

2) Volunteers (especially strong volunteers) are still needed for the distribution itself on Friday, November 18th. We will meet at LSSN at approximately 9:00 am in order to load the truck, then proceed to the housing complex for the distribution at approximately 10:00 am. Distribution is usually finished at about 1:00 pm.

Food needs are as follows:

1) "Trimmings", such as boxed mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing, gravy, and canned vegetables, for the meals are needed. These can be contributed at any time between now and Monday, November 14th through the standard weekly pickups at congregations, as well as delivered to LSSN Monday-Friday, 8:00 to 4:00 pm.

2) Turkeys are especially needed. LSSN will have staff conducting pickups at congregations on Sunday, November 6th and Sunday, November 13th: if you have turkeys, please call Derrick for scheduling the pickup. If your congregation is able to store the turkeys until Monday, we will be happy to pick them up then. Should you be able to deliver the turkeys to LSSN, we ask that they be delivered between 8:00 and 4:00 pm on Monday the 14th or Tuesday the 15th. Again, please let us know if you are coming and how many turkeys you have. With the additional space in our new location, as well as our new freezers, we anticipate having sufficient storage space here.

We would prefer to not receive turkeys any earlier than Sunday the 6th.

For many of us, the Christmas season is the happiest time of the year. For many others, though, it can be the most difficult. LSSN works hard to spread holiday joy and cheer to those that need it the most through our Adopt-A-Family program.

Starting on October 17th, LSSN will begin seeking sponsors. We will then match preferred gift recipients with the Wish List of a client or client family for your shopping convenience. Sponsors may choose to support a family of any size, from two to even ten or more. LSSN places no minimums on what can be spent on each family, but from past experience, adopting groups, families, and individuals have spent approximately $50 to $100 per household and/or $20 to $50 per individual child. Sponsor information must be collected no later than December 1st, and all gifts must arrive at LSSN no later than December 12th. The sign-up form can be found here. More information will be published in our newsletters, on our website, and through local congregations as the Christmas season approaches.

During the week of December 12th, we will need five volunteers per day to help with the final organization and distribution of the gifts.

If you are willing to answer the call to serve by volunteering for one of these holiday programs, or would like to contribute to the programs with either food or financial support, please contact Tom Maatta or Derrick Felder at info@lssnv.org.

We would also like to thank the Kiwanis for once again sponsoring "Lunch with Santa" for our supportive housing families on December 14th.

LSSN's Annual Back to School Backpack Program will be collecting donations of backpacks and school supplies for needy children, which should arrive no later than August 15th. Six volunteers per day will be needed on August 15th, 16th and 17th.

LSSN is in the process of preparing for its annual Easter Basket program, and we need your help! By partnering with many area congregations and generous individuals last year, we were able to provide 450 Easter Baskets to area children. This year, we hope to top each of these goals and help those in need to have a blessed holiday celebration.

Going off-site to deliver holiday cheer, we will be again partnering with the Housing Authority to distribute these baskets on Thursday, April 21st.

Preparations will be held at LSSN on Tuesday, April 19th and Wednesday, April 20th, and we anticipate needing six volunteers on each of these days. Volunteers are also needed on the 21st to help with the assembly - especially those willing to drive and use their vehicles to help transport the Easter goodies.

Donations are crucial for the success of this program - all food donations should be at LSSN by Friday, April 15th. Our primary need is donated food for Easter dinners: hams, mashed potatoes, corn, rice, macaroni, and small side items. Comfort items for the holidays, such as mugs and tea, are also welcome.

Financial contributions are also very much appreciated.

For more information, please contact Derrick Felder at info@lssnv.org or 702-639-1730.