Over the past few months, a large warehouse has appeared alongside I-15 near the Walmart in Springville. That in and of itself isn’t a terribly unusual sight with how much south Utah Country has been growing; however the “Utah Food Bank” signage made it clear that this wasn’t “just another warehouse;” this had the potential to be so much more.
In recent years there has been an increasing number of Utah households with a strained budget due to the rising price of necessities.The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that over the past year, food prices overall have risen 3.5% and the average cost of eating out has risen 5.7%, and that’s just the cost of food. The cost of other basic necessities including gas, and electricity also continue to rise with no clear end in sight, and wages are not rising to meet the new strain.
In light of these increasingly difficult financial burdens, more people than ever are relying on local food banks to help them bridge those increasingly widening gaps between what people are able to make and what it truly costs to feed their families.
Utah County is in a unique phase of explosive growth with its population predicted to double by 2060. With this rapid increase in population, the ability to ensure those in need have access to the help they need becomes ever more important. Due to its vastness, the Utah Food Bank has been working hard to find ways to reach people in need in Utah county.
Many in the community are stepping in to volunteer for the Utah Food Bank. In fact, volunteers assemble most Friday mornings at 1138 W 100 S in the parking lot of the LDS meetinghouse to unload trucks filled with food from the Utah Food Bank and distribute it drivethru style to those who need it. The parking lot opens at 5:30 a.m., with distribution beginning around 7:30 a.m. and going until about 11 a.m.
While mobile food bank stops like these are amazing, the hours of operation can make it difficult for families who work at odd hours or single parent households trying to juggle the school drop-off line and work, to take advantage of the service. While other local food banks like Tabitha’s Way help to fill this gap, there is more that can be done.
This is where the new Timpanogos Distribution Center comes in.
The warehouse, slated to open in early 2024 is one of the first steps that Utah Food Bank is taking to address ease of access to food related services. The 77,032 square foot facility includes warehouse space, office/conference room space, and industrial kitchen space. In addition to facilitating the expansion of the Utah Food Bank and its programs, the location makes it easy for trucks to access and will provide more local jobs to strengthen the community here in southern Utah county. For more information or to find out how you can get involved check out their website.
