r Community Action Services and Food Bank and Tabitha’s Way Local Food Pantry, together with the Utah Food Bank, partnered with the Boy Scouts of America to help Fight Hunger Statewide during the 32nd annual Scouting for Food, Saturday, March 17. This food drive comes at a critical time when supplies at Community Action Services and Tabitha’s Way are beginning to thin following the holiday season. This effort has provided the equivalent of over 18 million meals statewide since 1997 alone, and scouts hoped to hit the 20 million meal mark with this year’s efforts.
All donations will be delivered to Community Action Services and Food Bank at 815 S. Freedom Blvd., in Provo, or at Tabitha’s Way Local Food Pantry at 920 E. State Rd, Suite C, American Fork. If you missed this year’s drive, donations can be dropped off at either location.
“The food these scouts collecting will have a great impact on our neighbors and friends, many of whom may very well be classmates or friends of these scouts,” said Karen McCandless of Community Action Services and Food Bank.
“It is so rewarding to see these youth and their leaders all working together to help fight hunger within their own communities. You can’t tell if someone is hungry just by looking at them — they look a lot like you and me, and they need our help,” said Al Switzler of
Tabitha’s Way.rDonated food should be commercially packaged (non-glass), non-perishable and nutritious items (ideally low-sodium and low-sugar items). Most needed food items include rice, pasta, cereal, chili, peanut butter, boxed meals, canned meats and canned fruits, and even non-food items including diapers, toilet paper and hygiene items. For more information about Scouting for Food, or to find a local food pantry, visit www.utahfoodbank.org/scouting or www.communityactionprovo.org, or www.tabithasway.org
About Community Action Services and Food BankrCommunity Action Services and Food Bank has been serving Utah, Wasatch and Summit counties since 1967. Its mission is to foster self-reliance in individuals, families and the community. Last year, Community Action helped thousands of families with food, housing, utility and other assistance, and provided community gardens, a commercial kitchen, financial literacy and homebuyer education. For more information, visit www.communityactionuc.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/communityaction/
About Tabitha’s Way Local Food PantryrFounded in 2010, Tabitha’s Way Local Food Pantry in Spanish Fork and American Fork provide emergency food assistance to almost 6,000 individuals each month in north and south Utah County. The mission of Tabitha’s Way Local Food Pantry is to help individuals and families through tough times by providing temporary food assistance, recommending resources for self-reliance and helping neighbors help neighbors. www.tabithasway.org
About Utah Food BankrFounded in 1904, 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 149 emergency food pantries and agencies. Last fiscal year, Utah Food Bank distributed 39.2 million pounds of food and goods, the equivalent of approximately 32.7 million meals, to families and individuals in need. For more information about Utah Food Bank, visit www.utahfoodbank.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UtahFoodBank and Twitter at www.twitter.com/UtahFoodBank.
