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The tough economy has charity organizations in our communities asking for help. Managers tell us they have seen anywhere from a 10 to 30 percent increase in needs.
Many families in our state always need assistance. But as we near the holidays, they hope to provide a nice Thanksgiving and Christmas for their children, and they want to put food on their tables.
The Utah Food Bank's shelves are painfully bare, and besides holiday turkeys, the organization needs 1.5 million pounds of food.
Workers at the food bank are seeing a 25 to 30 percent increase in food assistance over last year, and they say some are families who haven't needed help before.
"They are working-class families that are working paycheck to paycheck and are now in a situation where jobs are being cut, hours are being cut back; and some of the challenges we're seeing with the economy, they're having to stretch their dollars to make it through the tough times," said Jim Pugh, executive director of Utah Food Bank.
The food bank needs all of the traditional canned goods and non-perishables. This morning, a surprise arrived: 1,000 pounds of buffalo meat.
"I would rather it go to a good cause, and this is a great cause, and the meat will go a long ways," explained Pete Moesser, Safari Club International Utah board member.
Some people started lining up at the Salvation Army before 6:00 this morning. They were waiting to sign up for clothing and gifts this holiday season.
Workers at the Salvation Army say they have seen an increase in applications from 10 to 20 percent this year.
"We're finding people getting laid off like crazy, or they're just afraid they're gonna get laid off. These people just want to provide Christmas for the children," said Major Laura Sullivan.
Sullivan says the program provides for children 12 and under, and she needs toys for 10- to 12-year-olds, shoes, socks, underwear and jackets.
The Iron County Care and Share is also in need. Executive director Bill Woods says he has seen a 35 percent increase in food applications this year.
The Utah Shakespearean Festival held its annual food drive, delivering more than 2,600 pounds of donations from its patrons.
If you would like to help any of these organizations, click the related links.
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