Volunteers from 2 Utah companies help pack thousands of meal kits for students in need
Jul 30, 2025, 7:56 PM | Updated: 8:29 pm
Two Utah companies are working to prepare thousands of meal kits to give to kids in need as they get ready to go back to school. (Adam Small/KSL NewsRadio)
(Adam Small/KSL NewsRadio)
SALT LAKE CITY — Two Utah companies are working together to prepare thousands of meal kits to give to kids in need as they get ready to go back to school.
On Wednesday morning, volunteers with America First Credit Union and Young Automotive Group packed over 5,000 bags filled with basic foods like mac and cheese, granola bars and applesauce. Their goal is to make just over 17,000 meal kits for kids who are in need of food over the weekend when they don’t have access to school meals.
Volunteers with America First Credit Union and Young Automotive Group packed over 5,000 bags filled with basic foods like mac and cheese, granola bars and applesauce. (Adam Small/KSL NewsRadio)
Amber Greenwell, charitable foundation and community outreach director with America First Credit Union, said these kits will go to students in the Davis School District. However, she said they’re not the only ones in need.
“Student security can be hidden so easily, and I think so many people don’t realize that not only the entire state, but each county has food insecurity,” Greenwell said.
Volunteers from two Utah companies are working to prepare thousands of meal kits to give to kids in need as they get ready to go back to school. (Adam Small/KSL NewsRadio)
Kellee Belnap, foundation director of Young Caring For Our Young, said they send the fully packed kits to the Bountiful Food Pantry, which gives out around 3,600 of them every week.
Belnap said that everyone who took part in this got involved not only to help feed the kids, but also to help them learn better.
“If they’re worried about what they don’t have to wear, or that they’re not looking good at school … or if they’re hungry, they’re not going to learn as well (as they could),” she said.
Volunteers with America First Credit Union and Young Automotive Group packed over 5,000 bags filled with basic foods like mac and cheese, granola bars and applesauce. (Adam Small/KSL NewsRadio)
They’re hoping this influx of meal kits can help families get through the hectic pace of the back-to-school season.
“Just to think about the impact that it’s giving, even the parents (who know) those kids come home … and that their kids are going to be fed for the weekend, that’s so satisfying,” Belnap said.
Contributing: Michelle Lee
Read more: Meals on Wheels in Davis County faces shortage of volunteers as demand for meal help rises
