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Indian Springs Library Food Rescue

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Indian Springs Library Food Rescue

Las Vegas-Clark County Library District

Health & Wellness | 2025

Innovation Synopsis

Each Saturday, a team of 3 library staff and 10 volunteers transports 250-700lbs. of fresh food to a small library in the heart of a food desert in Indian Springs, Nevada. This is more than a food pantry combating food insecurity; this is serving with dignity, meeting the needs of our teens, and reducing waste. This is a boutique shopping experience for our residents, with each person invited to shop one at a time. This is also a place for teens to earn volunteer hours and customer service skills.

Challenge/Opportunity

The community of Indian Springs consists of a gas station/casino, a Family Dollar, a Pre-K-12th grade school, two bar/restaurants and Indian Springs Library. Jobs are few, and opportunities for our teens to build hands-on skills that prepare them for the workplace are even fewer. There are no grocery stores or options for fresh protein or produce here.


Key Elements of Innovation

  • The program features donated rescue foods -- items that are not expired and items that stores would normally throw away due to space and a minor bruise or spot.
  • We bring these foods and other items to our community across 30 miles of desert in a single vehicle, reducing food waste and vehicle emissions.
  • Low-barrier program: We require no sign-up, no income verification. Open to anyone who needs food.
  • Includes: Fresh meats, prepared foods, frozen Chick-fil-A, fresh produce, and baked goods to a community whose local store only has canned, preserved, processed, or frozen food items.
  • Aims to be zero-waste, with these items that would have been thrown away now given to the community. Any remaining food feeds local animals or becomes compost.
  • Partners: CCPR for chairs and freezer space; CCFD for ice; CelestialManna, a 501(c)3 for food items.

Achieved Outcomes

While the program launched in 2022, 50% of total customers served occurred in a one-year period from June 2024 through June 2025, illustrating how the need has grown in this community.

Since 2022
Grand Total Volunteer Hours: 4,086 hours from 61 volunteers. 48 Adults (2,756 hrs) and 13 Teens (1,330 hrs)

Grand Total Customers Served: 14,093

From June 2024 through June 2025:
+Customers Served: 7,039

+Volunteer Hours: 1,295 hours from 32 volunteers.
26 Adults (828 hrs) and 6 Teens (467) hours