After more than two decades of dedication, organization, and compassion,
Geraldine Atkinson is retiring from her role as director of the Lovelock Community
Food Pantry.
“It has been my distinct honor to serve the Lovelock Community Food Pantry for
about 25 years,” Geraldine said. What began as a small, collaborative effort
between Grace-St. Francis Community Church and the Lovelock Paiute Tribe has
grown into an essential community service reaching hundreds of local families
each year.
In the early days, the pantry operated out of the Indian gym, with help from Pete
Fundis and Fred Welch of the Fundis Company, who donated trucking services to
bring in the first shipments of food. Volunteers made regular trips to the Food
Bank of Northern Nevada, or even farther afield, to find the best deals on pantry
staples.
Since then, the pantry has moved six times, and today it operates from its
permanent home at the old city yard on Eighth and Franklin Streets. Over the
years, a loyal team of volunteers has kept things running—picking up donations,
weighing and sorting food, and serving clients week after week.
The pantry’s work is broad and steady: it partners with the Food Bank of Northern
Nevada’s Mobile Harvest program on the last Monday of each month, distributes
USDA commodities on the third Tuesday, and delivers senior food boxes on the
first Monday. Volunteers even make runs to Imlay to extend the program’s reach
across the county.
Geraldine’s leadership has been marked by teamwork and vision. In 2008, Penny
Higby joined as co-director, taking on monthly reports and USDA distributions.
Together they guided the pantry through a period of growth, including becoming
an independent 501(c)(3) charity three years ago.
“We’ve been fortunate to receive both food and financial donations from
generous community members,” Geraldine said. “We share garden and orchard
produce with clients and use monetary donations to purchase staples, meat, and
eggs when the Food Bank can’t supply them.”
For many years, the pantry dreamed of having commercial refrigeration. That
dream came true when then-Mayor Mike Giles secured a grant for a walk-in
refrigerator and freezer, providing vital storage for fresh produce and frozen meat.
Among the many volunteers who have made the pantry thrive, Dave Johnson
stands out. He’s been volunteering since 2009 and has become a cornerstone of
the team—organizing crews, training new helpers, and stepping in as acting
director when needed. Geraldine and Penny, along with volunteers Sis Reid,
Carmen Turillas, Tony Stacey, Sherry Woodard, Janice Rutherford, Carol Maita, and
Joe and Christina Guerrero, expressed their deep appreciation for his service.
“Without the volunteerism and financial support from individuals, businesses, and
even memorial donations from loved ones, the food pantry could not have helped
so many,” Geraldine reflected. “Our volunteers are truly the hands and voice of
love in this community.”
Beyond her pantry work, Geraldine has spent 32 years in education—24 in
Pershing County and eight in Lander County. She and her husband, Steve Atkinson,
have long supported the pantry through their local business, The Powder House,
often donating materials, time, and even transportation for food pickups.
Her family, son Tony Saralegui and grandchildren Gavin and Hailey, are proud of
her legacy. “It’s always been about helping others,” Geraldine said. “It’s been a joy
and a blessing to serve.”
Comment
Comments