USU program helped Nebo Utah School District students in need before the holidays

SALT LAKE CITY — Back in November of 2022, the Utah County 4-H Livestock Ambassadors launched its Meal Kits for Kids project to ensure students in the Nebo Utah School District had food outside of school and through the holidays.

Approximately 1,200 students in the Nebo Utah School District are at risk of experiencing food insecurity, therefore there was an immediate need for this project. Monica Hullinger, a social worker for the district, said many students go without food over Christmas break. 

Utah State University Extension 4-H members and their families helped ambassadors assemble and deliver over 200 meal kits to the school district for students in need. A press release from USU said each meal kit contained ingredients and the recipe for a healthy meal. 

The release said ambassadors received more than $2,000 in donations to buy food for the kits.

In early December, the food kits were assembled in Spanish Fork and delivered to Nebo’s Cupboard and Dragon Pantry at Landmark High School. 

“It was a great reminder to be grateful for what you have,” said Sydney Jensen, a livestock ambassador. “I find myself wanting new things when other people just want food or clothes.”

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