This Holiday Season, Local Food Pantries Need Your Help

Many families in Utah make it a tradition during the holiday season to serve, give back or decide on what charitable activities to do together as a way to get in the spirit of the season. Of course, there are also many families in Utah who are experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, financial stress and economic instability. For them, the holidays can be an exceptionally stressful and worrisome time of year, especially when it comes to keeping nourishing food on the table and in the cupboard.

If your family is considering right now what ways to contribute to the needy in your community, you may want to consider donating time, food, and money to a local food bank or food pantry. It's recently come to my attention that the Bountiful Food Pantry's supplies are low. While they do receive support from Utah Food Bank and other community partners, the ebb and flow of contributions can ultimately mean an empty plate and a hungry belly for those who rely on these resources.

As the pantry explains on their website:

"To serve our community, we need your help. Your generosity makes it possible for us to fight hunger. There are many ways to contribute, including donating food, hosting a food drive, volunteering, and making monetary contributions."

A neighborhood food drive could be a particularly keen way to pool resources and increase the measure of your contribution, as well as an opportunity to get everyone in the family (and on the block) involved.

On Wednesday, a volunteer of the Bountiful Food Pantry posted pictures of its near-empty shelves, with this accompanying message: "Hey guys, I’ve been volunteering here for 2.5 years and I’ve never seen it so empty. Unfortunately many local food pantries in Davis County have had to close down. If you can donate food, time, or money please do."

Of course it doesn't need to be for the Bountiful Food Pantry specifically, but if you live in or near Davis County, it could clearly use your help.

The mission of the Bountiful Community Food Pantry, as it states on its website, is "to relieve hunger and increase self-sufficiency of individuals in need living in Davis County, Utah."

It adds that the following services are how they accomplish that:

"Twice-monthly groceries Childhood hunger program - Pantry Packs Case Management SNAP enrollment assistance (formally known as food stamps) Insurance enrollment assistance Housing and utility Assistance Life Skills/Self-sufficiency Classes Employment counseling/assistance."

Donation hours at the pantry are Monday thru Saturday: 8AM – Noon and for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in the evening, 6PM – 8PM.

Here's where you can get in touch:

Bountiful Food Pantry
480 E 150 N • Bountiful, Utah 84010 • 801.299.8464