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This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
Did you know that one in seven Utah children under the age of 18 is at risk of going hungry? Utah is ranked fourth in the nation for the highest rate of food insecurity. Nearly 300,000 Utah children receive free or subsidized lunch, which is about 40 percent of all school-age children. A family of four living in poverty makes just over $22,050 a year to cover health care expenses, shelter, food and other household costs.
As a community bank, Zions strives to be actively involved in important community issues and wants to help provide for those in our own communities who are experiencing severe food insecurity. More than 345,700 people in Utah do not have enough food to eat. During the winter and holiday season, generosity and community involvement are more prevalent. However, through late spring, summer and into fall, the food pantry storage shelves are bare; this is when they need our help the most.
Zions Bank would like to answer the call to assist by continuing its partnership with the Utah Food Bank. Since 2003, Zions Bank employees have collected more than 500,000 pounds of food. This year we are asking employees, clients and the public to participate.
Contributions can be made in one of three ways: online at www.utahfoodbank.org; through cash or check; or by bringing canned and nonperishable goods to any Zions Bank location. A $1 donation to the Utah Food Bank is the equivalent of four pounds of food or $15 in support services, so every little bit helps.
Persistent hunger is a tremendous problem for our children; it interferes with normal child development and makes it difficult for youth to concentrate in school. In these difficult economic times, the need to help stock the Food Bank has become even greater. Your participation in Zions Bank's Feed the Need summer food drive can help alleviate hunger for Utah families.
For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.
Utah Food Bank: www.utahfoodbank.org
