COVID-19 brings food bank crisis to county

There is a dire need for food assistance in San Juan County with the onset of the COVID-19 crisis.
The Blanding City Mobile Food Bank reports it had double the requests for food than it normally receives on the monthly delivery date on April 9. 
Cars were backed up past Yaks Cafe and many families waited two to three hours for food distributed from the Mobile Food Bank in Blanding. 
In a normal month, the effort in Blanding feeds around 180 to 200 families. But for the April 9 delivery, 400 families requested food, which meant the amount of food given to each family had to be cut back.
Organizers also had to limit food to one box per car, even though many cars held members from multiple households. 
Cheryl Bowers, who coordinates the Blanding City Food Bank, reports the amount of food given to each family would only last a couple days. “It was heartbreaking,” she said. 
Bowers’s main concern is there are too many families who will not have enough food this month. 
A lease agreement has been signed for a permanent food bank location at the prior location, the pink building at 500 South 200 East. Organizers are working non-stop behind the scenes to fast-track the opening of the new location. 
The Utah Food Bank is also working with San Juan County distribution sites to ensure they receive enough food in subsequent shipments, according to Utah Food Bank Communications Director Heidi Cannella.
All Mobile Pantry sites in San Juan County will still be operational through the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Canella points out several ways local residents can help.
She said, “The best way to help right now is through financial distributions because that allows us to cover the increased transportation costs required to add additional loads of product and distribution sites across the state.
“We fundraise on a statewide basis, so all financial support helps us meet the needs of Utahns facing hunger.
“If people are interested in donating food, they can contact our partner agencies in San Juan County, which include Transitions Pantry in Monument Valley and Bluff Community Center in Bluff.” 
Financial donations can be made at UtahFoodBank.org.