New karma box located at Larry D. Johnson Community Center

The City of Sparks will celebrate the installation of a new Karma Box at the Larry D. Johnson Community Center on Thursday, October 19 at 1:30 p.m.

The Karma Box, built by the Nevada Kids Foundation, will be solely focused on providing essential items for youth.

“We believe that by working together with other nonprofits and organizations in the area, we can maximize our results and have a greater impact on one of our most vulnerable populations,” said Kallie Todaro, Director of the Nevada Kids Foundation. “Ultimately when youth have access to basic necessities and feel supported by their community, they are more likely to succeed and feel valued, which can positively impact the community as a whole.”

The Larry D. Johnson Community Center was chosen because of its proximity to schools, churches, and the Sparks Library.

“This is a perfect location for youth to be able to access our Karma Box and take something they are in need of while passing by. We are thrilled about this partnership with the City of Sparks and look forward to expanding this initiative in the future,” Todaro said.

“The collaboration between the City of Sparks, Karma Box, and the Nevada Kids Foundation is especially important in the Sparks community because they promote a sense of unity and generosity and help ease some of the basic burdens of people living in difficult circumstances,” said Mayor Ed Lawson.

The Nevada Kids Foundation is asking that items such as non-perishable food, warm clothing, socks, gloves, toiletries, and school supplies be placed in the Karma Box.

“Karma Boxes allow the community an easy way to give back to their neighbors and uplift those who are struggling while removing the financial barrier that some young people face when trying to access essential items,” Todaro said. “This collaboration is an exciting step forward for us and an amazing opportunity for us to get more involved with the youth in this older Sparks neighborhood.”

The Nevada Kids Foundation helps to provide Northern Nevada’s struggling youth with essential items and resources, with the goal of empowering children to live a life with greater hope, freedom, and opportunities for a successful future. For more information about the Nevada Kids Foundation go to Nevadakidsfoundation.org.

The Larry D. Johnson Community Center is located at 1200 12th Street in Sparks.