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SALT LAKE CITY — A highly visible haunted attraction in Salt Lake City announced Tuesday it has paid off two elementary schools' outstanding lunch balances in an effort to fight against food insecurity.
"It breaks my heart when I hear my grandchildren talk about kids in their classes that can't eat school lunch because they have run up outstanding balances," said Bob Dunfield, CEO of Fear Factory, in a statement. "Hearing these stories led us to find ways to help combat this problem and as we looked into ways to help this year, we realized the need is greater than ever and we wanted to do something that would make a bigger impact on the community."
Fear Factory, which is located just off I-15 at 666 W. 800 South, paid off the lunch balances for Mountain View and Park View elementary schools in Salt Lake City. Both schools are part of the Title 1 program, which means they receive financial assistance because of the high number of children from low-income families.
"We realize that through small and simple things, great things can be accomplished," Dunfield said. "We also know it takes more than one donation like this to make a significant impact on hunger in our state, and we challenge other businesses to find ways to contribute and join the fight against food insecurity in Utah."
According to a news release from Fear Factory, food insecurity has skyrocketed in Utah because of inflation, and about 93,000 children — or 1 in 10 — face hunger in the state.
"I'm so grateful for the individuals behind local businesses like Fear Factory who step up when their community needs it most," Salt Lake City Councilman Alejandro Puy said in the news release. "Fear Factory's generous support will help children from the west side focus on school without worrying if they'll get to eat lunch with their classmates or not."
