Community

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In time of need, the South Lake Tahoe community continues to come forward and help those less fortunate. As the effects from the coronavirus pandemic continue to affect families with job and income loss, community members rise to the occasion with several places to volunteers and donate.

One of those opportunities is with Steph Warren and the Altruism Project on Fridays at Bijou Community School.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Hope Lutheran Church of the Sierra in South Lake Tahoe will resume their "Hope Full Lunch Outreach" on Fridays.

Homeless and anyone in need of a meal are invited to stop by the church on Fridays at 11:00 a.m. to receive a free sack lunch. The church is located at 930 Julie Lane at the Y, just past Jim Bagan Toyota.

8.14.20 UDPATE: Clean Tahoe's Dump Day has been canceled for 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing requirements. For more information on Clean Tahoe and their program, visit https://www.clean-tahoe.org/,

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The popular Clean Tahoe $5 Dump Day has been moved from June to September 12 due to current COVID-10 restrictions and social distancing requirements.

Time and other details will be released at a later date.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With a growing need in the community, Tahoe Magic is hosting its second live-streamed concert to raise funds that will go directly back into the community.

On Wednesday, May 6, Lake Tahoe musicians are coming together again to raise money for Tahoe families in crisis because of the COVID-19 pandemic and shutdown.

In the second live stream concert hosted by Tahoe Supports Tahoe, more than a half-dozen musicians will perform from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Performers include:

Jesse Dunn and Jenni Charles of Dead Winter Carpenters

Lake Tahoe is one lake, one regional economy and we always come together during a crisis. Community members are already supporting each other in numerous ways. The Tahoe region’s three Community Foundations along with the Tahoe Prosperity Center are launching #TahoeTogether, a new campaign focused on continued coordination of efforts to support community members in need during this crisis.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There has been a huge outpouring of support for Tahoe Magic during the COVID-19 crisis. With that support is a growing need in the South Lake Tahoe community.

In just five weeks, the South Lake Tahoe non-profit has given away over $110,000 to more than local 785 families in need. In a normal year they give out about $30,000 to deserving families.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - For the second time in as many weeks, Overland Meat & Seafood Co. of South Lake Tahoe gave away 1,000 pounds of hamburger to the first 500 people to come by the store.

This time, Overland owners Brian and Kim Cohen had other businesses join in the fun.

Grass Roots gave away $10 gift cards, Heart Rock Herb & Spice Co. gave away spice samples, and Safeway at Bijou added two pallets of fresh fruits and vegetables to the mix.

"This is community effort at its finest," said Brian.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The generosity of a former South Lake Tahoe resident is keeping nurses and other members of the medical team at Barton Health safer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brian Gignoux, who spent grades K-10 and early adult life in South Lake Tahoe, heard how medical personnel across the globe were having problems obtaining life-saving protection items like surgical and N95 masks. His medical field friends in South Lake Tahoe were no different.

He talked to Barton RNs Siobhan Keller and Rachelle Pakes, friends of his from childhood, and asked what they needed.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A South Lake Tahoe-based concierge service is now offering free grocery delivery to seniors over the age of 65 and to those in need.

Tahoe Warm Welcome has been providing home and guest services to homeowners and visitors to the Lake Tahoe Basin since 2006. Operated by two long-time locals with over 30 years of customer service experience, they are no expanding what they offer during the coronavirus pandemic to include free shopping services for seniors and anti-viral sterilization cleaning packages for the home.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The line of "socially distant" people stretched down 3rd Street in South Lake Tahoe Monday morning. They were there to get the free packages of hamburger Overland Meat & Seafood Co. was giving to the community during the financially stressful times brought by the coronavirus

In business since 1987, Overland said this was their best, and largest, event in the 33 years they've been open.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Heavenly Mountain Resort staff delivered ten pallets full of food and beverage items to Bread & Broth on Friday and pallets of soup Monday, with pallets of granola bars and soup going to the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe.

Since closing, Vail Resorts in the area, Kirkwood and Heavenly, have delivered food to South Lake Tahoe non-profits, at least 25,000 pounds worth (or 12.5 tons). Previous trips to Bread & Broth included fresh fruits and vegetables.

They are also supplying staff to help with the Bread & Broth 4 Kids program, when possible.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Eight leading Lake Tahoe area musicians will perform in a live stream benefit concert this Wednesday, April 15 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to raise money for emergency assistance to South Shore families during the COVID-19 shutdown.

Among those performing at the Tahoe Supports Tahoe concert: Chad Lawrence and Martin Bush of South Tahoe Funk Union; Chris Seal of Bison; Annie Davidson, singer and songwriter; Eric Smith, recording artist at Edgetone Records.

It’s been three weeks since the coronavirus shut down most of Tahoe, South Shore and North, abruptly putting a huge number of families in crisis.

Many were already living paycheck to paycheck, and now their paychecks have disappeared. It could be months before many citizens here earn money again. Even when businesses re-open, the tourism industry here will likely be deeply depressed long afterward.

Location

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Tahoe Women’s Community Fund has announced its 2020 Grant Recipients. This year they received applications for grants from over 50 organizations. Of that group, 11 non-profits on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe have been chosen to receive $125,000 that will be distributed.

Inspiration Grant Recipient:
• Boys & Girls Club of South Lake Tahoe (Building Bright Futures – $40,000)
Focus Grant Recipients in the category of Poverty, Housing, or Basic Needs):
• St. Theresa’s Parish (Bread and Broth 4 Kids: Push for Protein – $15,000)

The Tahoe Chamber is holding another Virtual Town Hall on Friday, April 10, this time with Dr. Clint Purvance, CEO of Barton Health, and Chris Kiser, Executive Director of the Barton Foundation.

From 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Tahoe Chamber CEO Steve Teshara will lead the conversation as they discuss the hospital's efforts to combat the coronavirus crisis, the COVID-19 Response Fund, and what the community can do to mitigate the spread.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Barton Hospital would like 1000 face shields for staff during the coronavirus pandemic, and a South Lake Tahoe couple has taken on the challenge. With about 100 masks a week they are in search of help from the community in their 3D printing efforts.

Keith and Linda Cloutier, owners of Rudy's Plumbing and Heating, are currently in production of the masks. Since a 3D printer takes about 3.5 hours to print one face shield, Keith is asking for community members who have a 3D printer to join him so they can get more shields to Barton.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Christmas Cheer is an emergency food pantry operating in South Lake Tahoe and, with an increased need with many out of work due to the current coronavirus situation, they are running low on non-perishable food supplies.

They have seen many more people than normal coming into their office and volunteers say it is putting a big dent on their supply.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With a large number of South Lake Tahoe employees currently out of work due to closures mandated by the fight against the coronavirus, a South Lake Tahoe woman has set up a fundraiser to help those financially hurt the most.

Roberta Hainline, housekeeping manager with Vacasa, was concerned after she had to lay off her entire staff of 22.

"I know that all of those people that lost their jobs live paycheck to paycheck. Even though they are eligible for unemployment, the need is immediate," said Hainline, who was also furloughed.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Marin County has their coyote calls, New York City has their clapping, and now South Lake Tahoe will have a nightly cheer to honor and support essential workers and healthcare professionals working during the COVID-19 crisis.

Local Troy Matthews started the idea on Facebook Thursday and wants to see the community respond and go outside and give a big cheer for five minutes starting every night at 8:00 p.m.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Once again, Vail Resorts' CEO Rob Katz and his wife Elana Amsterdam are giving back to the communities where their employees live and where their company operates.

Today, they announced a donation of more than $2.5 million to provide immediate support to those areas as all contend with the severe impacts of COVID-19.

Immediate emergency relief grants will total $1.5 million and will be distributed to communities including South Lake Tahoe.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - What started out as a charity that shared the magic of the holidays with local children has now become a lifeline of support that immediately provides South Lake Tahoe families with financial assistance when they are in crisis.

The 501c3 non-profit was founded in 1994 and has helped low-income families on a year-round basis with one-time crisis funding, but that role is now growing due to the current COVID-19 health and economic crisis. Tahoe Magic recently launched its new website TahoeMagic to show how those in need can be assisted.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra has arrived at the very difficult decision to cancel its 31st annual Elegant Evening celebration originally scheduled for April 18, 2020. With the casinos closing and guidelines from the Center for Disease Control advising people to not attend large functions, the event will not be held this year.

But all is not lost.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation and Lake Tahoe Aleworx have teamed up to raise $20,000 in 2020 for local students. The 20th of each month was to be a special night at AleWorx with proceeds going to the Foundation.