This year, the University will celebrate its 150th anniversary (sesquicentennial) on Oct. 12, 2024. As part of the celebration, commemorative license plates are available to purchase through the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles. These license plates feature the sesquicentennial logo and are only available to purchase for one year. A portion of the proceeds from each license plate purchased and each annual renewal fee for the duration of the plate’s use is donated to Pack Provisions, the University of Nevada, Reno’s food pantry.
The license plate fundraiser started on Oct. 2, 2023, and purchases of the plates have raised $10,038.33 for Pack Provisions, the University’s food pantry, as of Feb. 27, 2024.
“Fighting food insecurity is important for student success,” Amy Koeckes, associate director of the Center for Student Engagement, which manages Pack Provisions, said, “If students go to class hungry, it’s difficult for them to study. Pack Provisions is an invaluable source in providing healthy food options such as fresh fruits, vegetables, proteins and dairy for our Wolf Pack community. We are able to partner with the Northern Nevada Food Bank, Wolf Pack Meats and the Desert Farming Initiative to fill a need in our community. It’s incredible to see the impact first-hand.”
Pack Provisions offers free access to fresh food for all members of the Wolf Pack, including students, staff and faculty, ensuring their academic journey is not hindered by financial hardship. The pantry provides various resources, including perishable and non-perishable foods to promote social wellness within the University community. It operates without government funding, ensuring no impact on the status of international students or financial aid awards.
Pack Provisions is managed by the Center for Student Engagement and relies heavily on volunteers and student workers. Currently, it serves an average of over 300 weekly users. The need for funding for the pantry continues to increase as the use of the resource increases.
“Last year we saw the highest number of visitors, about 9,000 for the academic year,” Koeckes said. “The annual number of visitors has been growing steadily over time and almost doubled between the 2021 and 2022 academic years.”
The sesquicentennial license plate fundraiser is a fantastic way to give to Pack Provisions and support the University community. As stated, each initial license plate registration fee and each annual renewal help provide much-needed monetary support to this important resource. You can learn more about purchasing a plate on the 150th Anniversary License Plate webpage.
People can also donate to Pack Provisions through the annual Giving Tuesday campaign or through the University’s Advancement page, which accepts monetary donations year-round. Food items are also accepted as donations.
