We Get By With a Little Holiday Helpings from our Friends

The holidays have a special way of reminding us what truly matters—gratitude, generosity, and showing up for one another. At Chefs for Kids, this season always brings us back to our “why.”

What began 34 years ago as a simple idea—to alleviate hunger and malnutrition through education—has grown into a powerful community movement. A handful of passionate chefs and nutrition educators from University of Nevada, Reno Extension came together with one goal: help children in Southern Nevada learn to eat well and thrive. But this mission has never been a solo effort. It has taken you—our donors, volunteers, and partners—every step of the way.

Because of your support, we launched our Holiday Helpings program several years ago, providing $50 grocery store gift cards to families who might otherwise go without food during the holidays. What started as a small seasonal effort quickly grew into something much bigger.

In 2022, we expanded beyond Thanksgiving and Winter Break to include Spring and Summer Breaks—because hunger doesn’t take a vacation. In 2024, we added fresh produce to the bags, increasing both nutrition and impact. And as of Winter 2025, we proudly welcomed our 14th school into the program, reaching even more families when they need it most.

Just this past week, our incredible volunteers—including our friends at Plus Credit Union—came together to pack and deliver bags filled with fresh fruits, vegetables, and nutrition education materials to 140 families. These aren’t just bags of food; they’re bags of relief, dignity, and hope during a stressful time of year.

And because kids learn best when food is fun, each bag included everything needed to recreate a playful Buddy the Elf–inspired snack: broccoli, cauliflower, yellow and red peppers, golden kiwi, blackberries, oranges, and snap peas. Colorful, creative, and packed with nutrients—it’s one more way we make healthy eating joyful and accessible.

Want to get in on the action? Here’s our worksheet for inspiration! 

Help Us Feed More Families in 2026

As we look ahead to 2026, the need continues to grow—and so does our commitment. A year-end gift to Chefs for Kids ensures that Holiday Helpings and our nutrition education programs can reach even more children and families in the year ahead.Your donation today helps stock bags, support schools, and keep fresh, healthy food on the table year-round. Please consider making a tax-deductible gift before December 31 to help us continue this vital work. Together, we can make sure no family faces hunger alone—during the holidays or beyond.