Food bank supplies way low

Utah Food Bank Services leaders are worried that they may not have enough food donations to meet emergency food requests between now and October.

"It's a concern," said Amberlie Phillips, food bank development director. "We are pretty low and will probably run out before the holidays."

Summer donations are typically smaller. Company donations continue all year, but individual donations fall off.

Businesses holding food drives during the summer keep the food bank functioning, but the total donations during the summer months only add up to 250,000 pounds, compared to the 600,000 pounds collected in one day during the Scouting for Food drive.

Last year's food donations were down during the holidays and again in March with the Scouting for Food drive.

"We are grateful for all that people donate," Phillips said. "We hate to make people think their individual efforts don't matter, because everyone in this state is so generous. We just hope a few more people can generate a little bit more food for us."

Phillips says holding a food drive is simple. The food bank has people it can send out to speak to educate groups about the hunger problem in Utah. They can also deliver plastic collection bags, posters and food collection barrels for anyone holding a food drive.

Every year, the requests for emergency food assistance have increased, Phillips said. Utah Food Bank Services will release this year's findings from its recent hunger research during The Hunger Conference, Aug. 28 and 29. The event will gather government officials, clergy, food pantries and other groups who provide services to low-income, elderly and disabled people to discuss the problem of hunger in Utah.

"The items we need most are peanut butter, canned stew, mac and cheese, vegetables and fruit," Phillips said. "Every donation makes a difference."

Individuals interested in hosting a food drive or wanting more information can call Utah Food Bank Services at 978-2452 or visit www.utahfoodbank.org.

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