Gratitude abounds at Food Bank

Ask these children what they're thankful for this year, and they don't miss a beat.

From twin brothers to parents, from the turkey filling their mouths to "everything," the list went on and on for the children enjoying an early Thanksgiving dinner at the Utah Food Bank.

"I like the turkey," said 8-year-old Leonela. "It was so, so good."

Some 160 kids traveled to the Food Bank on Tuesday afternoon for the traditional feast, which also included mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green beans, rolls, apple juice and, of course, pumpkin pie.

The Food Bank's Kids Cafe program provided turkey dinners at each of its 19 sites Tuesday, although the children from two — the Midvale Boys & Girls Club and Sorenson Multicultural Center — were treated to the traditional dinner at the main Food Bank location.

"They're really nice to let us come and eat," said 9-year-old Loralee, who gave thanks for her parents and younger brother and sister.

Questar employees served the meals and were impromptu cafeteria monitors for the joyous children, whose playful conversation and laughter filled the downtown Food Bank. Some, including 9-year-old Carlos, even demonstrated their knowledge of the holiday.

"I'm thankful for the pilgrims and Indians joining together and making Thanksgiving," he said as he spooned a heaping dose of mashed potatoes into his mouth.

Brad Simons, a senior account executive for Questar, said the comp

any often focuses its volunteer efforts on vulnerable populations, such as chi\ldren.

"It's just seeing the smiles on the kids' faces," Simons said. "It's wrong for kids to not have a hot meal and feel that they have a safe place to go."

The Kids Cafe program serves a hot, nutritious meal to some 1,500 children every day at after-school locations throughout the Salt Lake Valley. The meals are cooked in the Kids Cafe kitchen at the Food Bank and transported off-site to various Boys & Girls Clubs and community centers.

According to the Food Bank, the program provided more than 150,000 meals last year.

With about 250,000 pounds of food so far, the Utah Food Bank is on track to meet its goal for its Holiday Food Drive, said development director Amberlie Phillips.

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