Utahns stepping up with charitable donations

In this economy, the need for food at the Utah Food Bank has increased by 30 percent, but there is good news: donations are also up. The shelves are nearly full, proof that generosity exists in every area of the community.

Last year, 225 companies or organizations held food drives to help; this year, that number was more than 450. "It's a great time of year to remember that we need to get behind this type of community involvement and type of program, but make it a philosophy of giving all the time," said Devon Morano, with Rumbi Island Grill.

The food bank set goals that companies and employees reached. The organization was hoping for $111,111, but received $186,000. The food goal is 1.5 million pounds, and 95 percent is already in.

"I look at this time of year and think: There are thousands and thousands of angels with faces who have helped support the Utah Food Bank this year," said Marsha Gilford, a member of the Utah Food Bank's board of directors.

The food donations are obvious, and the money has also come in, but there's another part of the equation, and that is the volunteers. People of all ages have donated more than 128,000 hours this year, sorting cans and boxes and packaging them for delivery. Their efforts equal 45 full-time employees.

"I like helping out and volunteering. I did this a few weeks ago, too, and I have a lot of fun sorting," said Utah Food Bank volunteer Sarah Harris.

Evan Frost, also a volunteer with the Utah Food Bank, said. "It's just a good opportunity to come out and help the community, to give back and to help those who aren't going to have food for the holidays."

"It's nice to help out all the less-fortunate people. It would just be awful for the holidays if you didn't have anything for, like, Christmas," volunteer Andrea Johnson said.

The Utah Food Bank still hopes to reach that goal of 1.5 million pounds of food in the next two weeks. If you can help with food, money or volunteer hours CLICK HERE.

E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com

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