Utah Food Bank needs volunteers for growing demand

SALT LAKE CITY — School is out for many Utah students, which also means families are trying to figure out meals without school lunch five times a week. Ginette Bott, President and CEO of The Utah Food Bank said they got busy when the pandemic hit — but inflation kept the demand up.

“The families that are already behind, then again had another hurdle they had to try to get over,” Bott said. “So the numbers have not gone down.  We’re seeing, just huge numbers, still coming to the pantries across the state.” 

Bott said they, school districts, and others are starting to roll out meals for families in need, but as always she said they need volunteers and donations to help them meet the demand for their busiest time of the year.

“Some of them are working, you know, two or three part-time jobs,” she said. “It’s not like they’re not trying to help their family get back on track, it just seems to be there are a lot of challenges that have been placed in front of them.” 

If you need meals, reach out to your school district or The Utah Food Bank.

Clayre Scott contributed.

4 yr old Lucy made her first donation to Utah Food Bank, and we think it’s pretty special!
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What a fantastic reminder that gifts of food, time, and money comes in all shapes and sizes.
.#WeFeedUtah pic.twitter.com/TJIqhQYF6b

— Utah Food Bank (@utahfoodbank) May 30, 2023

 

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