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Nevada Food at First reports increased meals, ARPA support and planned staffing changes
Summary
Nevada Food at First told the Story County Board it served about 36,619 meals in 2025, has distributed more than 35,000 pounds of donated food so far in 2026, is using ARPA funds for staffing and meal access, and will seek a contract amendment to spend remaining ARPA funds on meal-packing supplies.
Nevada Food at First presented its annual report to the Story County Board on June 2, reporting increased meal production and distribution that county officials said was supported in part by ARPA funds.
Executive speaker Barb Bentman told the Board, "In 2025, Nevada Food served a total of 36,619 meals." She attributed year-over-year growth to SNAP rule changes, higher food and gas prices and new neighborhood meal stops in Collins and Maxwell. Bentman said monthly meal averages in 2026 have ranged from about 362 meals per night in March to a high of 590 meals per night in May, totaling more than 14,700 meals in the first five months of 2026.
Bentman described ongoing partnerships with retail donors and school/community pantries, saying more than 65 tons of food were rescued in 2025 and that as of the end of March 2026 "more than 35,000 pounds of food has already been donated." She credited volunteers and retail partners for expanded service to households in six eastern Story County communities.
On staffing and ARPA-funded positions, Bentman said the organization extended a contract with Lindsay Hankle (transcript spelling appears as both "Lindseay Hankle" and "Lindsay") for a community engagement specialist through the end of June and described plans to hire three part-time 20-hour-per-week positions as part of a leadership transition, with a new executive director starting June 16. Bentman said the board intends to reallocate remaining ARPA contract funds and will return to the county with a formal amendment request so remaining grant balances may be spent on meal-packing supplies prior to September 1.
The Board did not take any formal funding action at the meeting; Bentman requested county approval later if staff brings an amendment to move remaining ARPA funds.
