Utah woman’s grassroots Thanksgiving effort aims to feed 300 families this weekend

KEARNS — What began years ago as one Utah woman posting online to help a neighbor has grown into a full Thanksgiving operation feeding hundreds of families across the Salt Lake Valley.

Jen Rogers, founder of the JR Way nonprofit, said she never set out to build an organization. In the early days, she simply noticed when someone in her community needed help and rallied friends through social media to step in. That small effort has now evolved into a community partnership providing Thanksgiving meals for families who otherwise may go without.

“I never did this to be my job,” Rogers said. “If someone in the community needed help, we’d just jump into action, put out a shout-out, collect what we need, help the people, and move on.”

Rogers is collaborating with KOA Protective Services, DayWon, and Organized Movements to support at least 300 families this year. She said the number has steadily risen.

In past years the groups provided around 100 to 200 meal kits; last year they reached 300. This year, they hope to go even higher to 350 or even 400 families if donations allow.

“It’s the connections I make,” Rogers said. “After their storm has settled, they come back and help out. They’ll ask how they can give back, and now they’re part of the team.”

Donations are being collected through Friday via Venmo, PayPal and grocery drop-offs. Supporters can contribute food items from a shopping list or send funds for volunteers to purchase items in bulk.

Rogers said people donate from all over, including individuals she has never met who follow the effort online.

The distribution event will take place Saturday at 11 a.m. at 5130 South 4000 West in Kearns. Meals will be handed out first-come, first-serve until supplies run out. No registration or pre-selection is required.

Rogers said part of the mission is encouraging people to notice need around them, something she calls the “art of noticing.”

“You never know what someone’s going through,” she said. “Even $2 can help. Or just noticing your neighbors and being aware.”

Families receiving help are often the same people who later return to volunteer, she added, creating what she describes as a growing community of people helping one another through difficult moments.

For those wanting to get involved, Rogers can be found on Instagram at @only1jr or through @TheJRWay. Each partner organization also posts donation information and volunteer opportunities on social media.

“We’ve built this huge community,” Rogers said. “Some of the greatest people I’ve ever met have come from these collaborations. It means everything to me.”

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