The Utah Food Bank and its partner agencies across the state are working with the Boy Scouts of America to help fight hunger statewide during the 30th annual Scouting for Food, scheduled for Saturday, March 19. This food drive comes at a critical time when supplies at the Utah Food Bank and emergency food pantries are beginning to thin following the holiday season, and the effort has provided the equivalent of close to 8 million meals since 2010 alone.
Boy Scouts will be going door-to-door across the state to distribute reminders to Utah residents during the week of March 14. Utah residents are encouraged to fill any bag or box with nonperishable food items to leave on their doorstep by 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 19, when Boy Scouts will return to pick up the food donations. All donations will be delivered to the Utah Food Bank, regional food banks, and emergency food pantries statewide. Alternatively, donations can be dropped off at local food pantries or regional food banks, or at the Utah Food Bank, located at 3150 S 900 W in Salt Lake City. Residents who receive door hangers as reminders are also able to support the Boy Scouts’ efforts financially by taking their door hanger to any Smith’s Food & Drug Store between March 18 and March 21 where they can donate at check stands.
“It is so rewarding to see the Boy Scouts of America, the Utah National Parks Council, the Trapper Trails Council, the Great Salt Lake Council, and the Utah National Guard all working together to help fight hunger within their own communities,” said Ginette Bott, Utah Food Bank chief development officer. “The food gathered across the state will have a great impact on the one in five Utah kids at risk of missing a meal today. You can’t tell if someone is hungry by looking at them. They look a lot like you and me, and they need our help.”
Donated food should be commercially packaged (not in glass), nutritious, nonperishable items. Most needed food items include canned soup, chili, peanut butter, boxed meals, and canned fruits and vegetables. For more information about Scouting for Food or to find a local food pantry, visit utahfoodbank.org/scouting.
The Utah Food Bank has operated under various names but remains true to its mission of fighting hunger statewide by providing food to a statewide network of 140 emergency food pantries and agencies. Last fiscal year, the Utah Food Bank distributed 37.5 million pounds of food and goods, the equivalent of approximately 31.3 million meals, to families and individuals in need. For more information about the Utah Food Bank, visit utahfoodbank.org. Visit the Utah Food Bank on Facebook and Twitter.
