Helping Neighbors During the Government Shutdown

In mid-January of this year, as the federal government shutdown continued, more than 3,450 federal employees in Nevada were not receiving paychecks, including 1,100 local TSA workers. This meant that many of them were in desperate need of basic necessities like food. Three Square, southern Nevada’s non-profit community food bank, was there to help with the assistance of local businesses, including Nevada State Bank.

On January 15, Brian Burton, president and CEO of Three Square, stated, “Hundreds of thousands of federal employees, including local TSA workers, missed their first paychecks during the government shutdown last Friday and many of them are finding themselves in unfamiliar circumstances. Hunger does not discriminate and oftentimes affects individuals when they least expect it. As Southern Nevada’s largest hunger relief organization, Three Square exists to help as many individuals facing food insecurity in our community as possible. We want these employees to know that we are here to help.”

That same day, Three Square responded to a request for assistance from the local TSA Council and delivered more than 400 bags of dry, shelf-stable food, water and hygiene products to TSA employees. The council reported that the food bags were almost gone the next day, so Three Square decided to schedule a special volunteer session on January 17 to pack more food for TSA employees and their families.

Three Square reached out to Nevada State Bank to ask if they could supply volunteers to assemble the food bags, and despite the very short notice, 42 colleagues from all lines of business volunteered to help. This response was especially impressive as a large group of colleagues was already volunteering at the Las Vegas Rescue Mission the same night. Working together on an assembly line, the Nevada State Bank volunteers put together 432 bags of food that were later distributed to the TSA employees.

The bank also donated $10,000 to Three Square, earmarked for food assistance during the crisis. “We feel that it is our responsibility to support Three Square as they work to aid those in need during this shutdown,” said Terry Shirey, president and CEO of Nevada State Bank. “As a community leader, we want to do what we can to help our fellow Nevadans weather these trying times.” 

Three Square helps feed thousands of food-insecure people in four Nevada counties, providing more than 37 million meals – about 45 million pounds of food and grocery products – each year. Working with bulk food providers and local retail and grocery stores, it sources food and distributes it through community partners to those most in need, including children and seniors. Nevada State Bank regularly supplies volunteers to help sort and package food at the Three Square facility, and the bank’s chairman, Dallas Haun, serves on the Three Square board of directors.

To find out more about Three Square, or to volunteer or contribute, visit www.threesquare.org.

The information provided is presented for general informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal or business advice. Any views expressed in this article may not necessarily be those of Nevada State Bank, a division of Zions Bancorporation, N.A. Member FDIC