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For thousands of Utah families, an “average” day brings tough choices between groceries and rent… between medicine and meals. One in six children across our state faces uncertainty about where their next meal will come from. But behind the scenes of these quiet struggles, an extraordinary network is in motion, doing everything it can to turn the tide: Utah Food Bank.

Since 1904, Utah Food Bank has served as a lifeline for Utahns experiencing food insecurity. In 2024 alone, we distributed more than 65 million pounds of food—equal to over 54 million meals—reaching every corner of the state.

Each day, Utah Food Bank trucks hit the road, covering about 1,000 miles total—roughly the distance between Salt Lake City and Phoenix and back. Every box truck carries around 10,000 pounds of food, enough to provide 40,000 meals. And while these trucks are dropping off critical food supplies, they’re also picking up fresh donations through grocery rescue programs.

One such partner is Harmons, a grocery store that goes above and beyond to make sure fresh, nutritious food reaches families before it expires.

“Harmons donates all of their fresh food days before it expires,” shared Kristin Thornhill from Harmons. “That means families get quality, delicious food instead of stores just throwing it away. It’s a way to give back that truly makes a difference.”

With partners like Harmons, Utah Food Bank can offer more than just canned goods—families receive fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, and baked items, restoring both nourishment and dignity.

In Salt Lake City, The Salvation Army Family Services Program is one of more than 270 emergency food pantries supported by Utah Food Bank’s statewide network. Every month, they receive around 34,000 pounds of food.

“People come to our pantry without fear of judgment,” said Lt. Kate Combs. “When someone can choose the food that fits their family’s needs, it offers a glimmer of hope during tough times.”

With inflation, rising rents, and economic uncertainties, more Utahns are relying on food pantries than ever before. Utah Food Bank’s support ensures these organizations can meet the growing need.

But it’s not just adults who benefit—kids are at the heart of Utah Food Bank’s mission. Through the Kids Cafe program, students across the state receive healthy meals after school, so they can go to bed full and ready to learn the next day.

At Glendale Middle School in Salt Lake City, this program is a lifeline.

“For some of our students, this is the last meal they’ll get before we see them again the next day,” said Lucas Tucker, a staff member at the school. “A child who’s hungry can’t focus or learn. Kids Cafe gives them the nourishment they need to succeed.”

The meals are more than sustenance—they’re something the kids genuinely look forward to.

“Their favorite? Easy—beef nachos. And it’s not even close,” Lucas added with a smile.

This work continues day after day, week after week. In 2024, Utah Food Bank’s transportation team logged 756,000 miles—enough to circle the globe 30 times. Our transportation budget alone topped $5 million, a non-negotiable investment in getting food where it’s needed most.

Behind every number is a story. Behind every delivery, a family. Behind every box, a community comes together to make sure no one in Utah goes hungry.

At Utah Food Bank, our mission is simple: Fighting Hunger Statewide. Every truck, every volunteer, every dollar donated helps make that happen. And while an “average” day might not make headlines, this work is anything but average.

Join us in building a better, stronger, more nourished Utah—one meal, one mile, one neighbor at a time.

 

Divorce is often an emotionally and financially devastating event, but here in Utah, where family sizes are larger than the national average, it can have particularly devastating consequences for women and children. Economic hardship following divorce is well-documented, and when combined with rising costs of living, many families find themselves facing not just financial insecurity, but also food insecurity.

Sabrina, a single Utah mother works as a special education teacher at a local school. Despite juggling two jobs and pursuing her own academic goals, Sabrina faces the challenge of stretching her time and financial resources to meet the demands of caring for two young sons.

The Financial Toll of Divorce on Women

In the year following parental separation, the financial drop-off is particularly severe for women, as they are statistically more likely to experience post-divorce poverty than men. Research indicates that one in five women experience divorce poverty, and one-third lose their homes. Additionally, many women do not receive full child support or alimony, further exacerbating financial struggles.

For many single mothers like Sabrina, the financial blow of divorce is compounded by challenges such as lack of recent work history, childcare responsibilities, and difficulty securing flexible employment. Many divorced mothers struggle to find jobs that pay a livable wage, increasing their reliance on programs such as WIC, school lunches, and other assistance programs. The latest data tells us 75% of women who file for assistance programs do so as the result of a divorce. Read that statistic again.

The Cost of Divorce and Its Impact on Family Budgets

The economic downturn following divorce has a direct effect on children as well. Financial resources previously available for the children are reduced by a 41% in the year following divorce or parental separation. With Utah’s higher-than-average family sizes, many divorced Utah mothers face and even greater economic hardship than their counterparts.

Sabrina’s dollars must be stretched even further, as both her sons have significant food allergies. Every trip to the grocery store is a balancing act to ensure she can provide both safe and nutritious food for two growing boys.

Utah Food Bank Childhood Programs

The intersection of divorce and food insecurity highlights the vulnerability of children. In addition to distributing food through a statewide network of 270 partner agencies across the state, Utah Food Bank offers several direct service programs to help address childhood hunger:

• Kids Cafe seeks to fill the nutrition gap that exists during out-of-school hours with nutritious after-school meals. Last year alone, this program provided 441,471 meals to children at risk of hunger.
• Mobile School Pantries complement both school meal programs and our other childhood hunger programs by providing a cost-effective food distribution point for children and their families at the end of the school day in a safe and trusted environment—the school. The impact of this program has been astounding—last year, we reached 456,087 individuals, 246,150 of whom were children.

To join us and support Utah families facing these challenges, click here to donate or volunteer. With your help, we can help ensure a brighter future for all Utahns striving to overcome financial hardship.

On Saturday, March 15th, faith-based congregations, organizations, and residents across Utah are teaming up with Utah Food Bank for the fourth annual statewide Feed Utah to support our mission of Fighting Hunger Statewide. This food drive is crucial to help restock quickly emptying shelves, and we are asking for everyone’s help!

It’s easy to get involved! Be on the lookout for door hangers at your home this week.  Fill any bag or box with non-perishable food donations and leave them near your front door before 9 AM on March 15^th, for pick-up.

New this year, all financial donations made online using the QR code or online link will be matched up to $65,000 in total! With this donation match opportunity, that means Utah Food Bank can stretch each $1 donated into $15.60 worth of goods and services for our neighbors facing hunger. You can support this match by clicking HERE.

Donated food should be commercially packaged, non-perishable and nutritious (ideally low-sodium and low-sugar items). Most-needed food items include beef stew, chili, peanut butter, boxed meals, canned meats and canned fruits and vegetables. Please no glass items.

Your donations will be picked up by local volunteers and church organizations starting at 9 AM March 15th and delivered to various sites across the state.

Drop-off locations include Utah Food Bank’s Salt Lake, Springville, Blanding, and St. George warehouses, all Macey’s Grocery, Lee’s Marketplace and Lin’s locations throughout Utah, and participating pantry locations. For all Feed Utah donation drop-off site locations, please click HERE.

Your contributions will help feed the estimated 415,000 Utahns and 1 in 6 Utah kids facing food insecurity.

Here’s how you can help:

• Leave your donations outside your front door by 9 AM on Saturday, March 15th.
• Most-needed items include canned meats, peanut butter, boxed meals, and canned fruits and vegetables. Remember, donated items should be non-perishable, commercially packaged, nutritious. Please no glass items.
• Scan the QR code on the door hangers to double your financial donation, or do so directly online HERE.
• Sign up to volunteer to help receive food donations on March 15^th  HERE.

Ginette Bott, President & CEO of Utah Food Bank, emphasizes the ongoing need for support as we prepare for one of the hungriest summers yet.

Your participation matters. Let’s show our support for our neighbors who are unsure of where their next meal will come from. Together, we can make Feed Utah 2025 a huge success! For further information, click HERE.

February is often called the month of love. Valentine’s Day reminds us to celebrate the people and connections that matter most. But love can go far beyond roses and chocolates—it can be a warm meal shared with someone in need, a grocery bag filled with essential items, or a simple act of kindness that reminds people they’re not alone.

The Growing Need in Utah

Hunger is an issue that touches every corner of Utah. More than 415,000 Utahns are food insecure, including 1 in 6 children. These families aren’t worried about what they will eat for dinner… They’re worried if they will have dinner at all.

The reasons for food insecurity vary. Rising housing costs, unexpected medical bills, job loss, and inflation have left many families stretched thin. Often, parents skip meals to ensure their children are fed, or seniors on fixed incomes choose between buying groceries or medication. Access to healthy food should never be a matter of chance, cost, or circumstance.

Why Giving Matters

At its heart, food is more than sustenance. It’s a symbol of care, comfort, and connection. A warm meal can provide not only physical nourishment but also hope and reassurance during tough times. When you donate to Utah Food Bank, you’re not just filling bellies—you’re showing families that they matter and that their community supports them.

Here’s some of the ways you can share your heart with our neighbors facing hunger:

• Give Food: Non-perishable items like canned goods, peanut butter, pasta, and rice are staples for many families. Every can or box you give helps fill an empty pantry and brings relief to someone who might otherwise go hungry.
• Give Time: Volunteering time is one of the most valuable gifts you can give. Whether you’re sorting food in our warehouse, or delivering meals to homebound seniors, your efforts directly impact lives.
• Give Money: With our partnerships and resources, we can turn $1 into $7.80 worth of goods and services for those in need. Your financial gifts help us keep shelves stocked, fuel our delivery trucks, and get food to all 29 counties statewide.

Programs That Spread Love Year-Round

At Utah Food Bank, we operate several programs that provide support to families:

• Mobile Pantries: A drive-through food distribution resource for families in need of nutritional assistance.
• Kids Cafe: Filling the nutrition gap that often exists during out-of-school hours for many children who rely on free or reduced-price meal programs during the school day.
• Mobile School Pantries: This program provides a cost-effective food distribution point for children and their families at the end of the school day in a safe and trusted environment—the school.
• Food Box Programs: We deliver monthly boxes of nutritious food to help to homebound seniors and people with disabilities stay healthy and independent.

These programs, and many more, are strengthened by your gifts of food, time, and money.

How You Can Help

Here are a few ways to make an impact:

• Host a Food Drive: Gather your friends, coworkers, or community group to collect non-perishable items. Every can counts!
• Donate Online: A financial donation is one of the most efficient ways to support our mission. From our secure donation link, you can opt to make a one-time or recurring donation.
• DIY Fundraisers: A DIY Fundraiser can be anything you want it to be! Create a unique fundraising page, share the link with your friends and family, and all donations are processed securely through our JustGiving platform!
• Volunteer: Sign up for a shift at our warehouse or explore other volunteer opportunities statewide.
• Spread Awareness: Share our mission on social media and encourage others to get involved. Together, we can amplify the message that food is love.

Fighting Hunger Statewide Together

As you celebrate Valentine’s Day this month, let’s extend that love beyond our homes and into our communities. Whether it’s a box of mac and cheese, an hour of your time, or a financial gift, every contribution is a symbol of care and compassion.

In 2025, our mission of Fighting Hunger Statewide remains an urgent challenge, and one group continues to highlight the complexity of the issue: A.L.I.C.E.

A.L.I.C.E. is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. This represents working families who earn above the federal poverty threshold but still do not qualify state or federal assistance programs like SNAP or WIC. Despite being employed, these families grapple with stretching their limited resources. Many economic factors play a role, but housing costs and rising cost of food stand out as a significant contributors. Utah’s lack of affordable housing is well-known and felt by many residents.

In 2024, 38% of Utah households fell below the A.L.I.C.E. threshold, highlighting the persistent struggle for financial stability. Families in this category often face impossible decisions—prioritizing rent over groceries, delaying essential medical care, or cutting other necessities to make ends meet. For many, one unexpected expense can trigger a crisis.

We know that hunger wears many faces: a mother in Hurricane Valley, a senior in San Juan County, or a child awaiting a summer meal. The latest Voices for Utah Children report shows that 68% of families require dual incomes to cover housing and other basic needs, emphasizing that A.L.I.C.E. families are doing everything they can, yet they remain in line for food assistance. They live in the precarious space between self-sufficiency and poverty.

“Together, we are Fighting Hunger Statewide and working toward a future where every Utahn has access to nutritious food,” emphasizes Ginette Bott, President & CEO of Utah Food Bank. “Our mission relies on collective efforts. Gifts of food, time, or money make a tangible difference for families in need.”

Meeting the rising demand is an uphill battle. The looming threat of a “Hunger Cliff”—where progress in combating food insecurity stagnates or reverses—underscores the urgency of the situation. Without help, hunger rates across Utah communities will only get worse.

To join us and support Utah families facing these challenges, click here to donate or volunteer. With your help, we can help ensure a brighter future for all Utahns striving to overcome financial hardship.