Donations available through Smith's program

Smith's Food & Drug shoppers can help alleviate hunger in their community through the fifth annual Smith's Gift of Giving program.

Smith's checkers will be taking donation orders for a $7 meal-in-a-bag or a $10 ham or turkey through Dec. 26. The food is then delivered by caseload to the Food Bank of Northern Nevada for distribution to individuals and families in need.

A Gift of Giving meal includes 13 nutritious food items like tuna, rice, mixed vegetables, peaches, macaroni and cheese, red beans, and peanut butter and jelly packaged at cost by Smith's to assure the highest value of the donation.

In 2008, Smith's customers in Northern Nevada provided 853 turkeys and hams and 1,177 staple items, which equaled 14,608 meals for hungry people.

"Smith's holiday food drive allows their customers to directly help people in their own community," said Cherie Jamason, president/CEO of the Food Bank of Northern Nevada. "These most basic and nutritious food items are so crucial to individuals and families who are depending on the food bank in these distressful economic times. We are truly grateful to Smith's and their customers for their support."

Smith's is a division of the Kroger Co., one of the nation's largest grocery retailers with headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. From its division office in Salt Lake City, Utah, Smith's currently operates 132 stores in seven western states including seven in Northern Nevada. Smith's charitable giving, in partnership with 13,000 total associates, generous customers and suppliers reached $5.7 million in cash and food products to local nonprofit organizations within Smith's operational areas in 2008.

For more information visit smithsfoodanddrug.com.

The Sierra Nevada Association of Realtors' affiliate of the quarter award has been presented to Lori Duster, an accredited staging professional master in Northern Nevada and owner of Set the Stage Home Staging based in Carson Valley.

She is a member of the Carson City Chamber of Commerce and the International Association of Home Staging Professionals, and is past president of Carson City BNI.

Duster's professionalism, dedication to the community, and active participation in the association were key components to her being awarded affiliate of the quarter. Duster and her husband Bret reside in Minden.

The Sierra Nevada Association of Realtors is a professional organization supporting real estate agents in the Sierra Nevada region, including the counties of Carson, Douglas, Churchill and Lyon (except for Fernley).

Committed to building better communities throughout the region, the association provides members with expert guidance and professional tools enabling them to deliver superior service to residents and newcomers; and to participate in the political process to protect the industry and private property rights.

For more information about Sierra Nevada Association of Realtors, please call 885-7200.