The Treasure Box offers brand-name foods for half the price

The food-assistance program known as The Treasure Box is launching in Henderson in partnership with the Neighborhood Church.

"This is an economical meal program that can help people's food budgets," said Carlos Sayan, the community outreach representative with The Treasure Box.

The organization, which established connections with more than 500 contributors such as Sara Lee, Stouffer's and Kraft, can provide food assistance each month with preassembled boxes full of protein, fruits, vegetables, side dishes and desserts.

The Rev. Dodjiel Hechanova knows that the people in his congregation at Neighborhood Church, 203 W. Basic Road, and the surrounding area could benefit from a program like this.

"This is a neat way to help the community," Hechanova said. "Gas prices are high. Food prices are high. This is such a low price for what they are offering."

Sayan said it is a great choice for people who just want to live on a budget, college students with limited cash or seniors who just want the right portion of food.

"There are five different boxes every month," Sayan said.

The boxes, which cost $32, feed a family of four for one week or an individual for a month. Other options include a Quick & Healthy Meal Box, a Hearty Protein Box and a Kids Box.

Sayan said a Simple Enough Box has been added for $24.

"That could be good for couples who want the box," Sayan said.

Sayan said it costs less than half of what people would pay at a grocery store.

"It is not just for low-income families," Sayan said.

Because the boxes are preassembled, people can't pick and choose the contents. However, they can view which box fits their taste each month before they decide which one they want.

People can order their box online or go through the community partner to directly place an order. There are seven locations throughout the Las Vegas Valley, according to The Treasure Box's website.

Hechanova, who is married with four children, said he is going to sign up his family for the program.

"A week's worth of food for $32," Hechanova said. "You can't beat that."

May marks the first month that Neighborhood Church plans to offer the program.

The deadline for ordering May's box is Wednesday. The June date has not been determined .

On April 30, Hechanova and his wife, along with some volunteers, went to learn how to set everything up for distribution.

"We have a lot of volunteers willing to help us," Hechanova said. "They are just excited they can help give back to the community."

Sayan said The Treasure Box has been around for two years and is part of a larger organization called Good Source Solutions, a San Diego-based company that provides food for relief organizations and the corrections industry.

Sayan said the organization realized that it had a surplus of brand products and came up with the idea to create a food-assistance program for the public.

The Treasure Box food program since has spread to Arizona and Nevada. Surrounding areas such as Moapa, Laughlin and Boulder City also have program partners distributing the boxes.

Sayan said the program launched in Las Vegas in February before launching in Henderson.

"The first month we did it, we had 150 boxes," Sayan said, referring to the Las Vegas program. "Now we are doing 650 boxes. We are rapidly growing."

For more information, visit thetreasurebox.org.

Contact Henderson and Anthem View reporter Michael Lyle at mlyle@viewnews.com or 387-5201.