Building Hope: New Food Hub Facility Will Serve Lyon County Region

Dayton NV – October 12, 2026

“This expansion will serve not just Dayton, but also our Silver Stage and Yerington Pantries” – Noel Chounet

Exciting things are happening for food security in Lyon County communities.

A new 4000 square foot building on Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey Counties (HCC) Dayton campus will be complete this fall. The structure will serve as both a larger Dayton Food Pantry, and a regional food hub, serving not only Dayton but communities throughout Lyon County.

Simply put, the expansion means more food to people facing hunger.

The community is invited to attend the grand opening, and donate food, during a Pantry Palooza and Fill the Pantry event on Friday, October 16 from 4pm-7pm at 209 Dayton Valley Road, Dayton, Nevada 89403.

The celebration includes dishes prepared by well-known Reno chef Jonathan Chapin, who is donating his time for the event. Dayton High Culinary students have designed a special cake for the affair, and volunteer Lolita Lynn is providing lumpia and other treats. The Dayton Chamber of Commerce will be part of the ribbon cutting ceremony, and opening remarks will be given by HCC Board President Chad Pace, and HCC Executive Director Wendy Madson. Nevada poet laureate Shaun Griffin, who is also a long time board member with Healthy Communities, will read a poem to mark the occasion.

HCC Director Wendy Madson noted that the new facility is “more than just a building, it represents an investment in people—and a commitment to hope, help, and compassion. It will help build hope, strengthen our community, and create a welcoming space for connections. Every contribution and every act of kindness has played a part in helping make this dream come true. During the grand opening on October 16^th, we will acknowledge the generosity of our donors, the dedication of countless volunteers, our community partners, and the many hands and hearts that helped bring this vision to life.”

The new facility will provide additional space to serve more people, expand outreach, increase resources, and meet the growing needs of the Lyon County community. 

At HCC’s food pantries in Yerington, Silver Springs and Dayton, the need for food assistance has risen steadily.

HCC’s Deputy Director, Noel Chounet, explained that “this expansion will serve not just Dayton, but also our Silver Stage and Yerington Pantries by providing space for purchasing and receiving bulk quantities and distributing to the other pantries. The primary goal of this project is to increase our overall capacity for supporting Lyon County residents needing food supports across the county.”

The expansion was made possible through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021.  When the Nevada Department of Agriculture, Division of Food and Nutrition received ARPA funds, HCC applied for and was awarded funding to create a regional food hub facility. The process involved enclosing and expanding an existing large pavilion at HCC’s Dayton campus. NDA funding also provided four insulated sheds for additional food storage, and a paved parking area next to the new building.

The new structure includes walk-in freezers and refrigerators, expanded food storage and shelving, and larger client-choice shopping areas. The large building also has a private office space, and more room for outreach by community partners such as SNAP, Veterans Affairs, WIC, and Medicare.

For more about Healthy Communities Coalition, visit healthycomm.org.