Dayton students who need athletic or activities fees, but find themselves short of cash, can get help through the Dayton Resource Bank.
It's not a bank in the traditional sense, but it is in the sense that deposits and withdrawals are made, and hopefully everything balances out.
Sara Ross, head of the Dayton Task Force, through Healthy Communities of Lyon and Storey Counties, came up with the plan, which she described as a program that is available to any student in Dayton schools to meet needs that cannot be met by family or school.
If kids are unable to pay fees for extracurricular activities, or buy a pair of shoes, or meet other basic needs, they can be referred to the Dayton Resource Bank to get help, or "withdraw" the funds needed, and in exchange, make a "deposit" of some kind of service to the community.
"This is something we started last year and are trying to get off the ground this year," Ross said. "I've been working with principals and teachers to make sure they are aware of it."
Ross said they have provided services to students at Dayton High School and Dayton Middle School, and the students can have a chance to offer a service such as meeting a resident's babysitting or cleanup needs.
"We are trying to work on reciprocity so as they gain service, kids give back so they don't have to feel it's a charity case," she said. "They've earned what they have."
Recipients are kept anonymous, and must be referred by a third party, other than parents, to cut down on paperwork. It could be a teacher, nurse, counselor or probation officer who makes the referral, she said.
Supportive residents and businesses have donated to the bank, not just money but services.
"If there is a counselor that wants to donate counseling, it's something we can draw on," Ross said. "One donated chiropractic services. It doesn't have to be a big monetary donation."
If necessary, the bank will fund the student's needs through donations or fundraisers, she said.
The Dayton Resource Bank is now only open to aid Dayton students, but Ross said, through next three years it will be implemented in each community in Lyon County.
The bank will soon have a sister project, the Comstock Service Exchange, a "time bank" where people who have services to provide, like sewing, child care or music lessons can be matched with those who need those services.
In exchange, the recipient offers whatever service they have to someone else, like a chain.
The project is open to residents of the Highway 50 corridor communities and Virginia City, so they can get needed help and have the opportunity to help others at the same time.
Bob Zamiar of Dayton is heading this effort, which is not quite up and running yet.
"This is a service exchange where everyone's talents and services are equal, and when you put in an hour helping someone with the gardening, or taxes, you can get an hour of help on something you need," he said. "The key is reciprocity, there are no throwaway people. Everyone has something they can put in and no one feels like they are accepting charity."
Ross said there will be an orientation during food bank week in October, the second Thursday of the month, at the Dayton Community Center, 170 Pike St., Dayton.
- Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or call 881-7351.