Three Square has far-reaching benefits

Burt Weinerman, Henderson

Saturday, Dec. 25, 2010 | 2:03 a.m.

Regarding the Las Vegas Sun’s Wednesday story by Delen Goldberg, “Providing free food for needy far from free”:

As food pantry manager of the Jewish Family Service Agency (a nonprofit, community-based, nonsectarian organization), a Three Square agency partner and representative of its Agency Advisory Committee, I feel compelled to let your readers know how Three Square has made life easier for our agency and other nonprofits that are now able to supply more food to more individuals.

The Jewish Family Service Agency reaps the benefits of Three Square’s purchasing power, accessing quantities and varieties of food we would otherwise be unable to afford. This year the amount of food we have been able to provide is up by

30 percent, with no increase in our budget, thanks to Three Square. This means that the real benefit of our savings goes to the 1,600-plus individuals we help feed each month. Three years ago, before using Three Square, we purchased food directly from retailers. Three Square has allowed our dollars to go further and for us to serve the growing needs of our community in a worthwhile way.

Three Square has helped us in other ways, including guidance, grants and free products. It would be difficult to operate without its professional assistance.

Our joint aim is to let no Las Vegan go to sleep hungry.

The writer is food pantry manager of the Jewish Family Service Agency, which is a Three Square partner.