Non-profit hosts ‘Rockin’ Ogden’ concert to pay school lunch balances
Jun 4, 2024, 7:00 AM
The rock band "Hinder" will headline the "Rockin' Ogden" benefit concert, set to raise money for overdue student lunch balances. (Hinder via X)
(Hinder via X)
OGDEN, Utah — More students are racking up debt over school lunch. One Weber County non-profit wants to help wipe their slates clean, with the “Rockin’ Ogden” benefit concert.
Utah Empowerment Initiative is hosting the concert on Saturday, June 8, at Weber State University’s Dee Event Center. The concert will start at 7:00 p.m. and will feature two bands, “Hinder” and Salt Lake City’s “Late Night Savior.”
Utah Empowerment Initiative is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in part to help “alleviate suffering caused by food insecurity,” according to a press release.
By attending the concert, people will help northern Utah school districts pay off overdue lunch balances.
Inflation has hit families hard
Weber School District reports a 37% increase in student lunch debt over the last year.
The district’s child nutrition supervisor, Candace Parr said this trend started after the pandemic.
“It’s very much higher than it was last year. That just shows that parents are still struggling.”
The district currently has over $100,000 to recoup.
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“Sometimes we have to send them to collections unfortunately and we try to get it back that way,” Parr said. “I wish there were other things we could do to help these families.”
Parr says the “Rockin’ Ogden” benefit concert means a lot to schools and families.
“We’re very excited about it … for the awareness it’s bringing to this issue.”
The Weber State University ticket office has more information.
KSL NewsRadio’s Emma Keddington contributed to this story.
