Becker, volunteers taking food boxes to needy

Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker will join local volunteers in delivering 300 food boxes to low-income, homebound senior citizens Monday as part of the city's Day of Service events in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Becker also will be speaking at the Day of Service kickoff event at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Utah Food Bank Services, 1025 S. 700 West.

Other speakers expected include Tristan Smith of the Utah Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Commission and Jim Pugh, executive director of Utah Food Bank Services.

At 11 a.m., volunteers will receive assignments at the Utah Food Bank and deliver food boxes throughout the community.

Utah Food Bank Services provides food to a statewide network of more than 240 agencies and community centers. Last fiscal year, Utah Food Bank Services distributed 18 million pounds of food — the equivalent of more than 9 million meals — in response to more than 1.6 million requests for emergency food assistance from families and individuals in need.

For more information about Utah Food Bank Service, call 801-978-2452 or visit www.utahfoodbank.org.