News

In the fight against hunger, there’s a new face you should know about: A.L.I.C.E. 

A.L.I.C.E. stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. This term represents working families who earn above the federal poverty threshold but still don’t qualify for state or federal assistance such as SNAP or WIC benefits. Despite being employed, these families struggle with the rising costs of day-to-day living expenses, including food, due to ongoing inflation. 

In Utah, the data is striking. According to a Voices for Utah Children report, two out of three families need both parents to work to afford housing and other basic needs. In 2022, 36% of Utah households fell below the A.L.I.C.E. threshold. This means that, despite being employed, many families still face persistent financial hardship. They are often forced to make difficult decisions, like choosing between groceries or medications, and are one emergency away from poverty.  

“While Utah has made tremendous strides with regards to economic growth and improved wages, for many Utahns, there is just too much ground to make up when considering what it costs to raise a family and have a roof over your head,” said Ginette Bott, Utah Food Bank President & CEO. “Looking just at employment statistics, or even poverty rates, will never tell the complete story of the Utahns doing everything in their power to stay afloat, but are still worried about feeding their families. They are living in the gap between those two measurements of economic well-being, but we are still seeing them in line for food assistance across the state.” 

The need for food assistance surged at the beginning of the pandemic and remains high, partly due to high costs of living. When household food budgets are cut, organizations like ours and our 245 partner agencies across the state become the first line of defense. However, meeting this demand is an overwhelming challenge with no immediate relief in sight. We are constantly aware of the potential for a “Hunger Cliff” – a point at which progress in combating hunger stalls or reverses. We are at a critical threshold and surpassing it could lead to severe food insecurity in our communities. 

 Together, we are Fighting Hunger Statewide, working towards a community where everyone can access nutritious food. Your food, time, or money contributions can make a difference for many families this summer and beyond. To find out how you can get involved, click here. 

We’re thrilled to announce Utah Food Bank Hurricane Valley Food Pantry is complete and now open to serve the residents of Hurricane valley. This milestone is a significant part of our broader initiative of Fighting Hunger Statewide. With the opening of this pantry, we mark the culmination of our multi-pronged expansion project. This new pantry in Hurricane Valley is preceded by:

• A warehouse and three pantries in San Juan County
• A warehouse in Utah County
• Expanded facilities at our Southern Distribution Center and Salt Lake locations

Our new pantry will be serviced by Utah Food Bank Southern Distribution Center in St. George. By offering a one-stop shop for services previously only available through a round trip to St. George, we aim to make a greater impact on the lives of local residents. The pantry replaces the former Hurricane Food Pantry and will be open a minimum of five days a week, making it easier for residents to access the help they need.

The 9,000-square-foot Hurricane facility offers 5,600 square feet of warehouse and pantry space, plus additional refrigeration, and cooler space. We’re committed to not just addressing food insecurity but also providing local employment opportunities. Together with Five County Association of Governments, we are utilizing the 3,600 square feet of office space in this facility to offer additional comprehensive services traditionally linked to food insecurity, all right here in Hurricane valley.

Additional funding for this project was made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), aimed at mitigating the negative impacts of COVID-19. We’re grateful for Utah State Senator Don Ipson who played a pivotal role in securing this funding allocated to the state, which has also supported the opening of three other pantries in San Juan County. Senator Ipson’s relentless efforts and collaboration with the state legislature were instrumental in securing special funding for these projects. His dedication has been vital in bringing this resource to the residents of Hurricane valley and eastern Washington County.

In Washington County, 18,000 residents face hunger, and 1 in 8 children are unsure where their next meal will come from. Last year alone, Utah Food Bank distributed 2.9 million meals in Washington County and 50.1 million meals statewide. These numbers highlight the urgent need for resources like the Hurricane Valley Food Pantry.

We can’t wait to see the positive impact our new pantry will have. Together, we’re stronger, and with your support, we can continue Fighting Hunger Statewide. With the ongoing support from our local community, we look forward to serving Hurricane valley residents for generations to come. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us!

While many children look forward to summer break for fun and games, it’s a different story for 1 in 10 Utah kids. Instead of packing for sleep-away camp, they worry about where their next meal will come from when school’s out. Without school meal programs, many families find themselves stretched thin, struggling to provide meals on already tight budgets. It’s tough going for our most vulnerable, chronically hungry students, who might have little to nothing to eat at home during those long summer months. Parents will skip meals, and children will go without all the nutrition they need to grow into healthy adults.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) considers food insecurity to be an economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food. Hunger, on the other hand, is an individual-level physiological condition that can result from food insecurity,

To help fill the summer meal gap, Utah Food Bank is again stepping up to help by extending our Kids Cafe Program. Through the Summer Food Service Program, we’re offering free meals to kids 18 and younger at various locations such as parks, libraries, and community centers.

One parent shared, “Groceries are expensive. It’s harder to afford healthy things; we’re just buying less and trying to find the things on sale. If it’s not on sale, we don’t get it.” Hearing stories like this is why Utah Food Bank works hard to ensure every kid, regardless of their family’s financial situation, has access to essential, nourishing meals.

This summer, we’re aiming big: over 428,000 meals served at 75 locations across several counties! From breakfast to supper, many sites will offer meals every day of the week. This summer we are also introducing Multi-Day Sites which provide weekly meal kits (7 breakfasts + 7 lunches) on designated days.

Just remember, kids must be present to receive their meals.

If you or someone you know needs help finding a meal site near you, simply text “FOOD” to 304-304. This free service will give you the location and times of up to three nearby summer meal sites. Meals will be provided from May 28 to August 19, check our WEBSITE LIST for exact dates— as they vary depending on location!

Please consider supporting efforts to fight hunger in Utah. Whether you donate food, time, or money, every bit helps make a difference. Click HERE to give now! Let’s make sure every child in Utah has a full belly and a summer filled with joy!

*All sites will be closed for Juneteenth (6/19), Independence Day (7/4), and Pioneer Day (7/24).

 

Letter carriers and hunger share a common trait: they both persist regardless of the season. With 1 in 10 Utah children experiencing the uncertainty of where their next meal is coming from, and 317,000 Utahns at risk of missing a meal today, the statewide Stamp Out Hunger® food drive on Saturday, May 11^th remains as critical as ever.

This food drive, a national initiative now in its 32^nd year, offers Utahns a convenient way to support food-insecure neighbors. Participation is simple: keep an eye out for a blue reminder bag in your mailbox this week and fill it with non-perishable food items (such as canned meats, peanut butter, boxed meals, and canned fruits and vegetables—no glass items, please), and place it next to your mailbox for pickup by 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 11th.

On Saturday, letter carriers will collect bags of food donations left on doorsteps across the state, transporting them to local post offices where Utah Food Bank staff and volunteers will be on hand to receive the contributions. Collected donations will then be distributed to food pantries in your area.

Stamp Out Hunger plays a vital role in replenishing the shelves of emergency food pantries statewide, particularly during this period of heightened demand as schools close for the summer break and many children lose access to meal programs, further straining already tight budgets.

Those unable to have their donations collected can drop them off at Utah Food Bank’s warehouses or Harmons. For those preferring to support financially, donations can be made at utahfoodbank.org, where every $1 donated can be stretched to provide $8.36 worth of goods and services.

Post Offices in Midvale, Northwest, and Riverton urgently need volunteers to support Stamp Out Hunger on Saturday, May 11th to help unload and pre-sort food. Volunteers must be at least 12 years old and capable of moderate lifting. For more information and to sign up, contact [email protected].

The annual Letter Carriers’ Stamp Out Hunger food drive is nationally sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers, in collaboration with the National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association and the United States Postal Service. Both in Utah and nationwide, this initiative has provided millions of meals for individuals facing hunger.

Spring Break is often a time of relaxation and a chance for families to unwind and escape the stresses of school. However, for many Utah children, this break from school also means a break from the reliable food they receive through school meal programs. As families struggle to provide additional meals on already tight budgets, childhood hunger becomes even more pronounced during this time. 

The consequences of childhood hunger are severe and far-reaching. Children who experience food insecurity are more likely to face physical, emotional, and developmental challenges, impacting their ability to learn and succeed in school. 

In Utah, 10% of children statewide face hunger and the stress it brings. However, this percentage differs across the state’s regions. Specifically, in the southern and central areas where our Southern Distribution Center and Timpanogos Distribution Center operate, the rate of childhood hunger increases to 13%. In San Juan County, where we’ve established our new Southeastern Distribution Center, the percentage climbs to an alarming 20%. These figures emphasize the critical need for immediate action to tackle food insecurity statewide. 

At Utah Food Bank, we are committed to fighting childhood hunger through various programs.  

Our Mobile School Pantry program provides much-needed food distribution points for children and their families on a monthly basis at the end of the school day during the school year.  

Similarly, the Kids Cafe program offers evening meals to children at risk of hunger, providing food in a safe space for educational and recreational activities. Last year alone, the Kids Cafe program provided over 366,000 meals to children, demonstrating its significant impact on combating childhood hunger. 

As schools close for summer break, we offer the Summer Food Service Program, an extension of our Kids Cafe program. These free meals are available for youth up to the age of 18, at sites throughout Utah often located at libraries, parks, and even splash pads to allow kids to get out of the house, unplug, and play while also enjoying a nutritious free meal. Check back for more information.  

Addressing childhood hunger requires a collective effort to help keep the pantry and distribution centers stocked throughout Utah. Hosting a food drive or a fundraiser is a great way to support Utahns facing hunger. Individuals can also support their communities by volunteering at one of our many warehouses or one of our 245 partner agencies. By coming together to support these initiatives, we can ensure that fewer children go to bed hungry, not just during Spring Break, but every day of the year. 

If you or someone you know is facing food insecurity, call 2-1-1 Information and Referral to learn about resources in your local community that can help meet your needs, or click here to get help. 

Hunger doesn’t take a break, and neither can we. Don’t wait; take action today.