Reno, NEV. (Dec. 3): The Evelyn Mount Community Outreach Program is left to recover after a large amount of donations were stolen from Mount’s garage right before thanksgiving.
Dozens of turkeys and Cornish game hens were stolen from Mount’s garage on Nov. 12. According to authorities a police report has been filed and they are working to find out who is responsible. Mount founded the Evelyn Mount Community Outreach Program, which is a local group that helps provide families with meals all year round with special focus during the holiday season. With Christmas on its way, Mount just hopes to have enough food to feed as many families that need her assistance.
Kaleb Mebust, 20 year old student at the University of Nevada Reno, donates canned goods for the Evelyn Mount Community Outreach Program at Sac N Save.
“We never stop regards with what holiday come up, our seniors, they always get their baskets. And sometimes and they get two baskets a month and they just get so happy and so glad,” Mount said. “But right now we are bad and in need for food and volunteers.”
The Evelyn Mount Community Outreach program was able to feed almost 9,000 families this past Thanksgiving. But according to Mount that’s the lowest number of families that have been fed in four years. Mount lays blame on the robbery as to why so many families weren’t fed. She is currently in search of a bigger place to store all of the donations. Mount hopes that consolidating and moving her five storage units under one roof will improve the program and hopefully prevent robberies in the future.
According to Sergeant Miller and Officer Stallcop, of the Reno Police Department, Mount’s neighborhood isn’t common for burglaries. It’s just that time of the season. People are struggling for money and everyone knows that there are going to be valuables under the tree.
Evelyn Mount grew up in Louisiana but arrived to Reno in 1976. Ever since then she has been giving to families all over the community. Accepting donations of food, clothing, and money from her garage in Reno, she has created an impact in local families’ lives. Reno has recognized Mount in many ways including awards and certificates like, 2009 Nevada Governor’s Certificate of Recognition and 2008 Citizen of the Year Award presented by the Sparks, NV Chamber of Commerce. She started with only 24 families and the program has grown to feed over 10,000 families during the holiday season.
Many members of the community had heard about the robbery. Kayla Lopez, 19 year old student at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and former volunteer for the Evelyn Mount Community Outreach program, was shocked to hear the news. Lopez was very disappointed that someone would actually steal from someone who is giving to families in need. Others, like Terry Doel, 56, were frustrated and concerned for Evelyn’s efforts.
“I think it’s unfair because all that lady does is help people and then someone goes and robs her. Then she doesn’t have any stuff to help people with,” said Doel.
After hearing the news many businesses like Trinity Salon, Edward Jones, and Hot August Nights decided to help out. Trinity Salon opened up their business as another donation drop off location up until Dec. 20. Edward Jones took donations for a couple of hours last month on Nov. 16 while Hot August Nights donated 50 turkeys to Mount’s program. Lopez had heard about many similar stories and had a positive light to shed on the problem.
“I think a lot of people felt the same way I felt, really upset about it, so they wanted to help. I heard that there were more donations than they had ever anticipated. I think everyone just wanted to help Evelyn Mount,” said Lopez.
Others like Sonia Perry, 19 year old Reno local, felt as though there wasn’t much of a problem to begin with. According to Perry, the robbery helped Mount.
“It wasn’t right what those people did, but it gave the Evelyn Mount’s program some publicity. When unfortunate things happen, the community steps up. That happens to be the case here,” said Perry.
Mount says they are starting to collect early for this holiday season. You can drop off donations at Mount’s home at 2530 Cannan St. or at the Sac-N-Save grocery store at 1901 Silverada Blvd.
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