Due to COVID-19, Governor Sisolak ordered schools to remain closed through the end of the school year. Many students rely on the resources they get at school, like food and even clothing. Members of the Intervention Department with the Washoe County School District are hard at work with several partnering agencies to make sure kids are still fed and have access to the resources they need to succeed.

“We have access to resources in the community, just like when school was in session our family resource center has access to like SNAP applications, that's like food stamps, and we still have families reaching out to us, even more now because so many have lost their jobs," said Re-engagement Facilitator Nisa Butler.

 The partnership between the Family Resource Center, Washoe County School District, the Food Bank of Northern Nevada and other agencies makes it all possible.

"When we have a crisis like what we are dealing with now, we are serving families that don't have access to school now, or the resources that they get when they are at school," said Butler.

The program provides assistance to students and their families in a number of different ways, including providing access to resources like power assistance, food stamp application help, and even distance learning deliveries. The district says they have been able to reach out to over 97% of families with multiple different requests.

"Clothing or food or any of the academic packets because families are unable to get to the distribution sites...we are doing that and dropping off those items on porches," said Rechelle Murillo, Intervention Department Coordinator.

But unfortunately, one of the biggest requests is for nutrition.  At the last drive by food harvest they had at desert skies middle school, they served over 500 cars...in just one day.

"We are seeing families that ordinarily don't come to food pantry's because they've been laid off come through," said Murillo.

As far as the next steps on things like students retrieving things left in lockers to what the grading system is going to look like, things are still undecided, but officials were able to tell us no student would be held back or have to repeat a grade due to the pandemic.

"All of our district leadership right now is just working really hard to plan how we best transition through and work through the remainder of the school year in support of our families," said Murillo.

There are no requirements to be met for parents to get help, officials say just to contact the family resource center, reach out to your students teachers, or even principles so they can connect you with the proper resources.

You can contact the Family Resource Center for Washoe County School District at the following numbers, or online at https://www.washoeschools.net/Page/5706

North Valleys

10500 Stead Blvd.

Reno, NV 89506

775-677-5437

Central Reno

1950 Villanova Dr.

Reno, NV 89502

775-321-3185

Northeast Reno

2750 Elementary Dr.

Reno, NV 89512

775-337-9979

Sparks

921 12th St.

Sparks, NV 89431

775-353-5733

Sun Valley

115 West 6th Ave.

Sun Valley, NV 89433

775-674-4411