As we begin a new year, Serving Our Kids Foundation is preparing to feed even more food-insecure elementary and middle school children across the Las Vegas Valley. You can make a real difference in 2026 through three simple actions:
1. Donate: Become a Monthly Supporter
Recurring gifts help us plan ahead and ensure consistent support for the children we serve.
Give $99 per month and you will provide 35 weekend meal bags every month during the school year.
Monthly donations of any amount help us purchase kid-friendly, reliable food items that children count on each weekend.
Your ongoing support turns hunger into hope for students who might otherwise go without.
2. Volunteer: Share Your Time and Talent
Volunteers are at the heart of our mission. There are many ways to get involved:
Pack weekend meal bags at our warehouse
Deliver meal bags to partner schools
Serve as a volunteer supervisor to help lead teams
Assist as an event volunteer at fundraisers and community activities
Whether you can help weekly, monthly, or for special events, your time directly impacts local children.
3. Amazon Wish List: Support Our Operations
To help keep operating costs low, Serving Our Kids maintains an Amazon Wish List of supplies needed to keep our organization running smoothly.
It’s simple: click, add to cart, and ship directly to Serving Our Kids. This “easy peasy” option allows you to support our work from home while ensuring we have the tools and supplies needed to serve thousands of children.
Together, these three simple steps—donate, volunteer, and give through our Amazon Wish List—will help us start 2026 strong and move closer to a future without hunger and without limits for the children we serve.
Serving Our Kids Foundation is incredibly grateful for the many community partners who stand with us in the fight against child hunger. Their generosity—through financial contributions, food drives, volunteer hours, and creative fundraising events—helps ensure that food-insecure elementary school children across the Las Vegas Valley have reliable weekend meals and the chance to focus on learning.
“Together, we made an impact.” Avison Young truly lived up to those words this year.
Serving Our Kids is deeply grateful to Suzette LaGrange, Principal and Managing Director at Avison Young, who met with us and immediately rallied her team to support food-insecure children across the Las Vegas Valley.
For Avison Young’s Annual Day of Giving, the team dedicated their efforts to creating weekend meal bags for our students. But their commitment didn’t stop there:
They collected much-needed Ramen and applesauce squeezers, helping us fill critical gaps in our meal bags.
They organized an internal competition, gathering more than 45 fundraising items to support Serving Our Kids’ Annual Golf Event fundraiser.
They then went even further by sponsoring a Pickleball event, bringing together many of their community partners and raising an impressive $5,933.14 for Serving Our Kids. These funds will be used to purchase food items to create even more weekend meal bags.
Because of Avison Young’s energy, creativity, and generosity, hundreds of children received consistent, kid-friendly meals to carry them through the weekend.
We are thankful and grateful to everyone at Avison Young and their community partners for standing with us and helping take real steps toward ending child hunger in our community.
Serving Our Kids Foundation is honored to highlight one of our outstanding community partners: BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association International). This year, BOMA selected Serving Our Kids as their charity of choice—and their commitment has had a direct, meaningful impact on food-insecure elementary school children across the Las Vegas Valley.
Throughout the year, BOMA members have gone above and beyond to support our mission, including:
Hosting a Food Drive that helped fill our shelves and ensured more weekend food bags could be delivered to students in need.
Organizing creative and engaging fundraising events such as “Putt and Wine,” bringing the community together in support of local children.
By combining financial support, food donations, and awareness-building events, BOMA has helped ensure that more kids can focus on learning and dreaming about their future—instead of worrying about their next meal.
We are deeply grateful to BOMA and its members for their partnership, generosity, and trust in our work. Together, we are moving closer to a future without hunger—and a future without limits—for the children we serve.
What a great group indeed!
Serving Our Kids Foundation is honored to recognize KTNV Channel 13 and its incredible partners for their outstanding support during the “Feeding The Future” campaign this September.
A heartfelt thank you to John Cook, Vice President and General Manager at KTNV Channel 13, for coordinating this month-long effort. Through the generosity and collaboration of Findlay Subaru, America First, and Ed Bernstein, the campaign resulted in the creation of more than 1,300 weekend meal bags for food-insecure children in our community.
We were especially grateful to receive:
A generous check presentation from Burton Hughes, Subaru of Las Vegas, and
A special $2,500 donation from News 13, representing contributions gathered through their campaign.
These gifts translate directly into food and hope for the children we serve, ensuring they have reliable meals to carry them through the weekend.
We deeply appreciate the support, generosity, and commitment of KTNV Channel 13 and all of their partners for helping us feed the future—one child at a time.
Sundance Helicopters Takes Our Golf Fundraiser to New Heights.Talk about a “high-flying” highlight!
Serving Our Kids Foundation was thrilled to partner with Sundance Helicopters, a premier helicopter transportation provider specializing in utility and charter services for corporate clients, for a spectacular golf ball drop at our annual golf event.
From high above the course, a Sundance helicopter released a cascade of numbered golf balls over the target hole, creating an unforgettable “closest to the hole” fundraiser that added excitement, energy, and fun for everyone on the ground—while raising critical dollars to support weekend meal bags for food-insecure children across the Las Vegas Valley.
A special shout out to Chris and Kyle, pilots for Sundance Helicopters. For the past two years, Chris and Kyle have generously donated their time and talent to help Serving Our Kids raise thousands of dollars through this unique golf ball drop experience.
We are deeply grateful to Sundance Helicopters—and to Chris and Kyle—for their continued partnership, creativity, and commitment to helping us make a lasting impact for the kids we serve.
Celebrating Youth Leadership: Thank You, David Jelinsky
Serving Our Kids Foundation is proud to recognize David Jelinsky, a 2023–2024 Serving Our Kids Supervisor and dedicated volunteer, for his outstanding fundraising efforts on our behalf.
David recently participated in the Live to Give event—a series of weekend games designed to educate the public about charities making an impact locally, nationally, and globally. During these events, individuals from across the country share stories about organizations that have personally touched their lives. To date, Live to Give has raised over $200,000 for more than 93 charities through these games alone.
David chose Serving Our Kids Foundation as his charity, using his voice, time, and energy to raise funds and awareness for food-insecure children across the Las Vegas Valley. His efforts directly support our mission of ensuring kids can dream of the future instead of dreaming about food.
Congratulations, David—and thank you for your generosity, support, and leadership. You are an inspiring example of how one committed young person can make a meaningful difference.
As food insecurity continues to affect families across Southern Nevada, Serving Our Kids Foundation remains focused on a simple but powerful goal: ensuring that food-insecure children can dream of the future instead of dreaming about food. Recent feedback and data from our partner elementary and middle schools in the Las Vegas Valley show that this work is making a real, measurable difference in students’ lives.
Below is a summary of key findings from our March 2024, December 2024, and December 2025 data collections, along with what these numbers mean for local children and their families.
Strong and Growing Participation
Mar 2024: 61% participation
Dec 2024: 88% participation
Dec 2025: 90.8% participation
Participation represents the percentage of eligible children who are regularly receiving our weekend food bags. The growth from 61% to nearly 91% demonstrates two important trends:
Rising trust and awareness – More families and school staff recognize the value of the program, and more children are consistently accessing the food they need over the weekend.
Better reach to those most in need – High participation suggests that barriers such as stigma, communication, or access are being effectively reduced.
This steady increase confirms that our program is not only needed, but increasingly relied upon as a critical support for students.
The Ripple Effect: Food Shared with the Entire Family
Children sharing with other family members:
Mar 2024: 58%
Dec 2024: 52%
Dec 2025: 46%
More than 4 in 10 participating students still report sharing their food with parents, siblings, or other family members. While our primary focus is the child, this data underscores an important reality: For many households, the food we provide helps stabilize the entire family’s weekend nutrition.
The slight decrease over time may indicate that, as our program and other community supports expand, families are relying a bit less on a child’s food bag to help the whole household—allowing more of the contents to directly benefit the student. Even so, the continued sharing:
Stretches limited household food budgets,
Reduces stress at home,
Helps create a more stable environment for children to learn and grow.
Health & Wellness: Children Feel Better, Look Better, Thrive Better
Observed improvement in overall health and wellness:
Mar 2024: 45.0%
Dec 2024: 42.4%
Dec 2025: 51.5%
Teachers and school staff are in a unique position to notice changes in student health—energy levels, physical appearance, and general well-being. By December 2025, more than half of participating children were observed to have improved overall health and wellness.
This suggests that:
More consistent weekend nutrition is helping reduce hunger-related fatigue, stomach aches, and headaches.
Students arrive at school better nourished and more ready to participate.
Improved health is a foundational outcome: when children feel better physically, they are better prepared to attend school, concentrate, and succeed.
School Attendance: Keeping Students Connected to the Classroom
Observed improvement in school attendance:
Mar 2024: 40.0%
Dec 2024: 45.9%
Dec 2025: 41.7%
Hunger is one of the hidden drivers of absenteeism. Children who are not eating regularly may miss school due to illness, fatigue, or family challenges tied to food insecurity.
Across all three data periods, roughly 4 in 10 participating children were observed to have improved attendance. While the December 2025 figure is slightly lower than December 2024, it still reflects a meaningful portion of students whose school participation benefits directly from reliable weekend nutrition.
Every additional day in class:
Increases learning opportunities,
Strengthens connections with teachers and peers,
Supports better long-term academic and social outcomes.
By December 2025, nearly 44% of participating students were reported to show academic improvement. This can include:
Better focus in the classroom,
Increased participation,
More consistent homework completion,
Improved grades or test performance.
These results reinforce what educators have long known: Children cannot fully concentrate on reading, math, and problem-solving when they are worried about their next meal. Providing consistent food support strengthens the whole learner—mind and body—and helps remove one of the biggest barriers to academic success.
Listening to Children: What They Love in Their Food Bags
Top favored items remained remarkably consistent over time:
Mar 2024: Ramen, Fruit Snacks, Cereal
Dec 2024: Ramen, Fruit Snacks, Cereal
Dec 2025: Ramen, Fruit Snacks, Cereal
This consistency tells us several things:
Children are more likely to eat what they enjoy, which increases the effectiveness of every bag we pack.
Familiar, kid-friendly items provide comfort and a sense of normalcy.
By pairing these favorites with other staples, we ensure that children both look forward to and fully utilize the food we provide.
By paying attention to what children actually like and consume, we can design food bags that are not only nutritious but also welcomed and enjoyed.
What This All Means for the Las Vegas Valley
Taken together, this data paints a clear picture:
More children are being reached, with participation nearing 91%.
Families continue to experience meaningful relief from food insecurity.
Children’s health, school connection, and academic performance are all showing positive trends.
Our program remains responsive to students’ preferences, increasing both dignity and impact.
Serving Our Kids Foundation is proud to partner with schools, volunteers, donors, and community members across the Las Vegas Valley to create these outcomes. Every weekend food bag represents more than food—it represents stability, hope, and the chance for a child to focus on learning and dreaming big.
To learn more about our work, access additional impact data, or find out how you can help us reach even more children, please visit servingourkids.org.
Serving Our Kids Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of new members to our Board of Directors. These leaders bring a wealth of experience in nonprofit service, business, education, and community engagement—expertise that will help guide our continued growth and strengthen our impact for food-insecure elementary school children across the Las Vegas Valley.
Our new board members share a deep commitment to our mission: ensuring that kids can dream of the future instead of dreaming about food. As they lend their time, talent, and insight to Serving Our Kids Foundation, we look forward to expanding our reach, enhancing our programs, and building even stronger partnerships throughout Southern Nevada. Together, we remain dedicated to creating a future without hunger—and a future without limits—for the children we serve.
Meet Michele Hsu
Michelle Hsu is honored to serve on the Board of Directors for the Serving Our Kids Foundation. She brings nearly 14 years of experience with Caesars Entertainment and currently serves as the Regional Vice President of Marketing Strategy for Las Vegas. Throughout her career, Michelle has held leadership roles in operations, regional and enterprise corporate functions, VIP and casino marketing. She has led teams across multiple markets within the Caesars portfolio, excelling in change management, guest experience innovation, and the development of cohesive marketing strategies that deliver results—especially at Caesars Rewards resorts in Las Vegas.
Michelle’s connection to Serving Our Kids began over five years ago when she was searching for a volunteer opportunity that welcomed young children. The organization was the only one in Las Vegas that allowed kids under 13 to participate—giving her son and his former baseball team a way to give back. It quickly became a meaningful part of her family’s life.
Outside of work and service, Michelle is a proud parent to Richie, a nationally ranked junior golfer, and shares her life with her partner Rich and their two doodles. As a family, they love to travel—favorites include Japan, Sea Island, GA, and Hawaii.
Meet Bruce Alder
A lifelong Henderson resident, Bruce is passionate about creating positive change across southern Nevada. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of Southern Nevada and a master’s degree from the University of Alabama. Over the years, he has built his professional career at the Las Vegas Review-Journal. In his role at the Review-Journal, Bruce helps connect readers with quality local journalism by introducing them to the newspaper’s digital and print products. His work focuses on understanding audience needs, building lasting relationships with subscribers, and ensuring readers stay informed about the stories shaping Nevada.
Outside of work, Bruce is a proud parent of twin daughters who are active in volleyball. He enjoys supporting their activities, spending time with family, and staying engaged with the Henderson community he calls home.
Meet David Edington
David Edington handles a broad range of commercial real estate, development and finance matters across the country related to all types of real estate classes and has significant experience representing clients in acquisitions, dispositions, and all manner of leasing matters. David’s finance practice includes representing borrowers and financial institutions in connection with construction, bridge, and other general secured financings. David has a comprehensive business background, including deep knowledge of common-interest communities and community management, and uses this experience to approach legal issues with a business-oriented perspective and efficiently achieve practical and workable solutions.
David’s experience additionally covers all real estate deals within the energy sector. His deep experience in the renewable energy and sustainability space includes work on solar, wind, and tax equity projects. David concentrates much of his work on advising these renewable energy companies, developers and investors on joint ventures, financings and acquisition and sale of energy projects.
David’s main areas of focus are renewable energy projects, including solar and wind developments; acquisitions and dispositions; ground leasing, retail, industrial, banking and office leasing; real estate finance, including construction, bridge and term loans; loan assumptions and equity transfers; development and self-storage.
David Edington is a Nevada native, and he and his wife are raising their three children in Las Vegas.
Meet Lance Eliason
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Lance has always been passionate about giving back to the community that shaped him. With a background in healthcare partnerships, nonprofit leadership and youth mentorship, he brings both professional expertise and a deep personal commitment to serving vulnerable families in Southern Nevada.
Lance currently serves as the Director of Partnerships at Touro University Nevada, where he helps connect students, educators and medical professionals to opportunities that improve lives and strengthen communities. His career has included roles in hospital systems, organ and tissue donation, and higher education – always with a focus on compassion, access and community impact.
Beyond work, Lance volunteers with local youth sports, faith-based service initiatives and civic committees focused on neighborhood improvement and public service.
Joining the board of Serving Our Kids Foundation is a natural extension of his belief that no child should ever go hungry. Lance is honored to serve and looks forward to supporting SOK’s mission to nourish children not just with food, but with hope.
Meet Jennifer Wilson
Jennifer Wilson has more than 15 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry, helping shape how visitors experience Las Vegas. As Director of Sales & Marketing, Transportation at the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), she focuses on connecting visitors to their destinations through innovative mobility solutions, and highlighting the community partners that make Las Vegas truly unique.
A passionate advocate for children and community service, Jennifer has served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for more than six years, supporting the rights and well-being of children in foster care. She is also an active member of Junior League Las Vegas, a women’s leadership and volunteer organization dedicated to creating meaningful change in the community.
In 2024, Jennifer graduated from the Las Vegas Chamber’s Leadership Las Vegas program, a transformative experience that deepened her civic engagement and strengthened her commitment to serving Southern Nevada.
Jennifer is honored to join the board of Serving Our Kids Foundation and supporting food-insecure children throughout Las Vegas. She believes deeply in the power of community and is excited to help further the organization’s mission.
At home, Jennifer is a wife, mom to a joyful three-year-old son, bonus mom to three, and dog mom to two. Life is full – and fulfilling.
Meet Nick Giorgi
Originally from Rockford, IL, Nick has called Las Vegas home for the past 14 years. With a background in the restaurant and hospitality industry, he’s always been passionate about building connections and delivering top-notch service. Now, as a dedicated real estate agent, he brings that same commitment to helping people find their perfect home and invest in their future.
Nick believes life is all about growth, adventure and meaningful connections in his career and beyond. He’s dedicated to giving back and making a positive impact wherever he can. And when Lance is not helping clients or his community, he’s traveling to new destinations, focusing on self-development, or unwinding with a great book by the pool. His loyal sidekick, Lulu, a spirited and lovable Shorkie, keeps his life full of love, joy and energy.
Meet Jane Rosenblum
Jane has 20 years of experience working in the hotel and casino industry and currently serves as the Executive Director for Guest Experience Strategy at MGM Resorts International. She is a proud graduate of the University of Nevada Las Vegas with a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management.
Jane’s passion for giving back to children started while she was working as a volunteer at a local children’s museum and later as a volunteer tutor helping kids learn to read. She first learned about Serving Our Kids after meeting members of the board while participating in Leadership Las Vegas.
Originally from the Bay Area, Jane has made Las Vegas her home for the last 17 years. She enjoys traveling to new places with her fiancé and spending time in her garden.
Serving Our Kids was recognized as Nonprofit of the Year (Small), for our dedicated fight against child hunger in Southern Nevada.
We are so grateful for this award and to the Giving Guide, published by Greenspun Media Group, featuring humanitarians, volunteers, cultural advocates, foundations and non-profits that help shape and improve the landscape of our community.
“Thanks to Greenspun Media Group for this wonderful recognition and award ceremony where we were thrilled to celebrate with several of our volunteers,” said SOK CEO Laurie Tanakaya.
