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News Specialist Richard Piatt reporting
In spite of generous donations during the Christmas season, there is a looming problem in Utah.
Requests for emergency food assistance are skyrocketing in Salt Lake City this year: up 28 percent, according to a recent study; and statewide requests are up 14 percent.
Michael is a construction worker with strong hands and a work ethic to match.
But recently, because he was laid off, he's had to make a hard decision -- to ask for food from the Crossroads Urban Center, so his wife and 9-month-old baby can eat.
"Yes it's hard. You have no idea what it's like to be in this situation until you've been here," Michael says.
In the center's pantry, there is barely enough food.
And future donations might not keep up with a surge of constant demand, according to the center's Linda Hilton.
"It is also the season of giving. So come January we always get a little concerned that people have done their good deed for the year and have forgotten and how do we get through January," Hilton says.
A couple years ago, Hilton says an average of 85 people a day would come to the center asking for food assistance.
This year, that number has more than doubled to about 215 people a day. Requests come from families who sometimes have jobs but who can't make ends meet, and people with children to feed who have hit hard times.
At the Salvation Army, some people who gave to the food pantry last year are this year asking for help.
Layoffs and corporate cutbacks on donations both contribute to a shortage of available emergency food.
"We try to give them five days worth of food, and we try to give them a balanced meal. We are not able to do that right now," says Kathy Scott with the Salvation Army.
According to a recent study by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Salt Lake City's higher need for food assistance is third out of 25 cities surveyed.
The reason why it's so bad here is clear -- mainly attributed to a poor economy.
There are a lot of people, like Michael, who never knew how bad it could get, until it happened.
"These people that walk these streets, hungry, they need a place like this. Because I finally realized in my heart that I need a place like this, too," Michael says.
The Utah Food Bank says food it is running out right before its busiest season -- the month of January.
Donations both during and after the holidays are needed.
