Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
With the economy in bad shape, more people in our communities are struggling with even the most basic needs shelter and food.
As the Utah Food Bank prepares for its holiday food drive, the need is greater than in any recent years.
Right now, many shelves in the Utah Food Bank are empty. That's not that unusual in late October. But this year, as food comes in, much of it goes right out.
"Our pantries and agencies are reporting a 30 percent increase in the families who are coming for food," said Janeal Ford, development director of the Utah Food Bank.
Across the state, some food pantries run out of food. They tell families to come back when shipments arrive.
"We're seeing families who have not previously sought assistance. So, the increase need is a real challenge," Ford said.
The need statewide has more than doubled in the last decade. Ten years ago, the Utah Food Bank distributed 9 million pounds of food to pantries and other agencies across the state. Last year, it distributed 19 million pounds of food.
The food bank kicks off its holiday food drive Saturday. It runs through Jan. 15, and the goal this year is 1.5 million pounds of food and 24,000 turkeys.
"The community is very generous, and we're appreciative of that. Right now, we're 6 percent ahead of where we were last year in terms of donations. But with the increased need, it makes it a real challenge," Ford said.
Within the next few days, those familiar collection bins go out across the community. When you see them, keep in mind the foods that are always in great need: tuna, peanut butter, canned stews, chili and boxed pastas.
We're all trying to do more with less, and that's the big challenge for food pantries.
New this year, you can donate money to the food bank online. For information on how you can donate food, time or money, click the related link to the right of the story.
E-mail: jboal@ksl.com
