Southern Nevada’s only food bank, Three Square, is expanding its delivery of fresh produce and balanced meals to food-insecure families through an investment from Stonehenge Capital. At a time when many families are struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic, the working capital provided by Stonehenge Capital will allow Three Square to continue providing healthy meals to the one in five individuals in Nevada counties of Lincoln, Nye, Esmeralda and Clark who don’t know where their next meal is coming from.
Three Square currently distributes more than 41 million meals, the equivalent of more than 50 million pounds of food and grocery product, through community partners and numerous programs in Southern Nevada. The nonprofit partners with hundreds of organizations – such as businesses, higher education institutions and nonprofit agencies – to serve the 447,820 food insecure residents in its service area, including approximately 171,510 children. Stonehenge Capital’s $2.9 million investment through the Nevada New Markets Tax Credit Program will allow Three Square to continue its mission of “providing wholesome food to hungry people, while passionately pursuing a hunger-free community.”
“Southern Nevada is facing a food insecurity crisis unlike anything it's ever seen before,” said Tifani Walker, Chief Financial Officer at Three Square. “Thanks to the generous support from partners like Stonehenge’s investment, we’re able to expand crucial services that allow us to continue getting food to those in need during this difficult time.”
Through initiatives like the Kids Café – designed to ensure that children without access to regular nutrition receive a healthy meal after school, the Backpack for Kids program – expanded to ensure that children receive access to food during summer months and on weekends, and the Meet Up and Eat Up program – available for children in low-income areas to access food during summer months, Three Square bridges the gap for one in three children and students at risk of going hungry in Southern Nevada.
In addition to its programs, Three Square offers food solutions that combine food banking (warehousing canned and boxed goods), food rescue (obtaining surplus or unused meats, bread, dairy and produce from hospitality and grocery outlets) and ready-to-eat meals by working with almost 300 retail partners, including Walmart.
“Stonehenge Capital’s investment in Three Square not only fulfills our mission of investing capital and providing opportunity in low-income communities and communities of color, but also supports our hope that every child in Southern Nevada is safe, secure and healthy,” said L’Quentus Thomas, Managing Director at Stonehenge Capital. “We consider our involvement in the continuing mission of Three Square an honor, and we look forward to serving the residents of Southern Nevada.”