Summertime leaves kids vulnerable to food insecurity
May 27, 2024, 2:00 PM
FILE: Former Gov. Gary Herbert and members of his staff sort food items at the Utah Food Bank's Salt Lake warehouse on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. (Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)
(Jeffrey D. Allred/Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Kids face more risk of food insecurity during the summertime. That means it’s going to be a busy summer to come for the Utah Food Bank.
Summertime is sometimes known as the hungriest season because kids no longer have school breakfast or lunch to rely on.
When kids aren’t in school, it can leave a big gap in the nutrition for those facing food insecurity.
Related: Crossroads Urban Center reports “unprecedented” need for food
President and CEO of the Utah Food Bank Ginette Bott, said more and more people are now impacted due to inflation.
“Numbers are coming up because of challenges we’re all seeing with affordable housing or affordable daycare.”
She said food pantries are seeing increased numbers even before the hungriest season hits.
“We always see an increase in numbers to all of the pantries throughout the state who serve families.”
Bott says any kind of donation, be it time, money, or food is helpful during this time of increased need.
She also encouraged families to be proactive in finding local food pantries and schools that are offering summer feeding programs.
Simply knowing the closest location and its time of operation can make a big difference in keeping kids fed this summer.
Related: Dickson: A look inside the child care crisis
