Out & About: Time to help the children as they head back to school

On Tuesday I received a call from an amazing man who asked, "Who would you donate money to?"

Of course when someone asks for your opinion, it's hard to think of which worthy cause should be recommended over another. There is Advocates to End Domestic Violence and Lisa Lee, who is outstanding in her pursuits to help women and children. There is Carson Tahoe Cancer Center, which makes the stay for those going through treatment a little easier. There are many great organizations that come to mind, but with school starting Monday my answer was Food for Thought.

He said, "Great come by and pick up the check."

If you don't know what this program is you should. It helps schoolchildren take home a bag of food every Friday so they have something to eat through the weekend. It's a simple concept with a huge benefit for the 400 children within Carson City that qualify for the Homeless Program or Children in Need.

You can make a difference by donating. On the Web site they have a list of food that you can donate and it goes directly to the children. Check it out. And thank you, D, for the call and the generosity.

WHO: Food for Thought

WHAT: Donate food items for children in need

WHERE: 3579 Highway 50 East. #221

CONTACT: 775-883-1011; Hours: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday. Rebecca Rund would love you to stop in and say hello.

WEB SITE: Find a list of needed items on nvfoodfor

thought.org.

New location for backpack program

Well, when I stopped by to pick up the check there were two more, one for the Backpack Attack program and one for Adopt-a-Senior Clothing Spree.

Each year Soroptimist International helps children throughout the area receive the tools to get a jump start on education. There are still 100 backpacks needed. If you want to drop a backpack off before Monday that would be great. If you want to give a backpack directly to a child in foster care placement or Advocates call the numbers below. If you want to help a child receive clothing, the school district's homeless liaison is accepting gently used clothing; call Jeanette at 283-1526.

WHAT: Backpack Attack provides new backpacks filled with school and hygiene supplies for children ages 6-18.

WHEN: All of July and August

WHERE TO DROP OFF DONATIONS: Carson City: Platinum Plus Salon & Spa, 716 N. Carson St., Ste. 110; Kummer Kaempfer Law Firm, 510 W. Fourth St.; Capital Ford Mercury, 3660 S. Carson St.; Realty Executives, 1071 S. Carson St.; Well of Worship Church of Mound House. Joanna Branvold at the Child Development Center, Western Nevada College, 2201 West College Parkway.

CONTACT: Sally Zola at 775-720-5973, Advocates to End Domestic Violence 775- 883-7654, Division of Child and Family Services, Mary Mockford 775-687-4943 ext. 262.

PROGRAM BENEFITS: Children in the community, Advocates to End Domestic Violence, DCFS Foster Children and children living in motels

Sierra Star Search

Want to be a star? The annual Sierra Star Search is open to all Northern Nevada schools, and 10 contestants will perform at the annual Kids & Horses barbecue fundraiser. During the fundraiser, 10 local singers will be competing for three top prizes, including $1,000 for first place, $500 for second and $250 for third.

WHO: Kids & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center hosts "Sierra Star Search"

WHAT: The contest is open to middle and high school students from Northern Nevada schools. Local judges will choose 10 contestants to compete in the final a cappella performance at the annual Kids & Horses barbecue fundraiser held on Saturday, Sept. 12.

WHERE: Incline High School auditorium

WHEN: Audition will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. Aug. 26 and Sept. 2.

COST: Tickets for the barbecue are $15 for kids 12 and under, $30 for adults, and may be purchased at Bowl Incline, Austin's Restaurants in Reno and Incline, Century 21 McGregor Realty, Art's Coffee House, Double W. Ranch or at the door

CONTACT: Call Doug Brimm at 775-745-3511 or Joanna Rice at 775-831-2144.

• To have your information included, contact Kim Riggs at kimriggs@att.net