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On  behalf of the Budding Ivey Foundation, professional poker player Phil Ivey took time away from the 2008 World Series of Poker last weekend to visit the Las Vegas Salvation Army. Accompanied by Budding Ivey Foundation board members Winston Morgan and LaTosha Perry, Ivey witnessed firsthand the staggering affects of Las Vegas' current housing crisis. Following Sunday services, nearly 200 homeless citizens stood outside the downtown facility awaiting food and shelter.

On behalf of the Budding Ivey Foundation, Ivey made an undisclosed donation to the International Reach and Teach Institute, a program designed to provide health education, supportive care serv-ices, and guidance counseling to at-risk youth, seniors, veterans, and families within Las Vegas and outlying communities. Larry Wright, a licensed caterer and IRTI founder, spearheaded the 4-5000 Feeding Program that also provides nutritional meals to the homeless. The Budding Ivey Foundation will add the 'We Care' program to their growing list of beneficiaries that will assist and enhance IRTI efforts, providing additional meals, toiletries, and clothing to needy Las Vegans.

"When Phil witnessed the situation developing at the Salvation Army, he immediately became involved," stated Wright. "He even helped us distribute 150 food packages."

"Due to the current economy, the feeding program has fizzled," stated co-founder John Currie. "We've been feeding about 150 people per week. But because of Ivey's recent generosity, we'll be able to increase that number by more than 300 percent over the next several weeks."

The Salvation Army, located at 200 E. Owens, will distribute 250 meals this coming Saturday, and an additional 250 on Sunday.

"I can remember the days when hotels would open their doors and feed the homeless," said Wright. "Things have changed, and now we're dependent on individual efforts like Phil Ivey's."

For more information on the International Reach and Teach Institute, visit www.reachandteachonline.org, or call Larry Wright at (702) 503-6995 or (702) 871-7336, or IRTI ad-ministrative executive Paula Anderson at (702) 656-3191.

For more information about the Budding Ivey Foundation, visit www.buddingiveyfoundation.org.