Vigil to raise awareness of homelessness

The Dialogue Group to End Childhood Hunger and Homelessness in Carson City is holding a public community dinner at 5:30 p.m. today at First Presbyterian Church in the Family Life Center.

"The purpose of the Dialogue Group is to bring awareness of this issue to the community," said the Rev. Alan Dorway, member and organizer of the event. "It allows an opportunity for people to learn and brings a challenge to the process.

"It also allows the community to grow with compassion."

A chili dinner with bread, salad and coffee will be served at 5:30 p.m. in the Family Life Center. Afterward, videos submitted by youth in the community for a competition will be shown. The top three winners submitted with be selected by those in attendance.

The video competition challenged the youth to produce a video about homelessness through their own eyes.

Dorway said this is the third year the group has held the vigil. He said a group in Reno is holding a memorial at lunchtime.

"There are 400 children who qualify as homeless in Carson City schools," he said. "I'm not sure how many adults are homeless in Carson City."

After dinner, those attending will walk to the Capitol and light candles in memory of the homeless.

"It's a time of reflection," Dorway said. "It will be cold, so dress warmly.

"... the best way for the community to help is to come out for the meal, walk to the Capitol, and take some time to reflect and remind ourselves there are homeless in this weather.

"They can meet others and show solidarity with those who are homeless."

The vigil and dinner are free.

For information, call Dorway at 882-1032.

• Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.

If you go

WHAT: Community Dinner and Homeless Vigil

WHEN: 5:30 p.m. today

WHERE: First Presbyterian Church Family Life Center, corner of Musser and Division streets

COST: Free

CALL: 882-1032

ALSO: Donations needed for Food For Thought

Suggested: soups (in microwaveable bowls); Easy Mac; canned tuna or chicken; juice boxes; peanut butter and crackers snacks; trail mix; instant oatmeal; calcium-rich puddings; Hormel microwaveable meals; beef jerky or beef sticks; beef and cheese sets; plastic containers of fruit; cheese and cracker snacks; tuna or chicken salad and cracker sets; power bars or granola bars; individual cartons of milk (not requiring refrigeration). Monetary donations are accepted as well.