Utah Food Bank looks for local support this week in food drive efforts

San Juan County residents have two opportunities this week to support the local Utah Food Bank.
The Utah Food Bank Southeastern Distribution Center in Blanding serves residents in this corner of the state including at food pantries in Montezuma Creek and Monument Valley as well as at the Blanding center.
The Utah Food Bank is seeking help through the Feed Utah Drive this Saturday March 21 as well as through donations received at local grocery stores on March 16 and 17.
Donations are being accepted Monday and Tuesday at Clarks Market in Blanding and Blue Mountain Foods in Monticello.
The stores are both offering case lot sales this week. The Utah Food bank says that makes it a great time to purchase food in bulk.
Utah Food Bank representatives will be outside the stores from 9 to 4 each day with blue barrels also outside the stores allowing residents to make donations after shopping.
In addition to opportunities to donate at the start of the week the annual Feed Utah food drive is scheduled for Saturday March 21.
Residents can support the initiative by placing a bag of non-perishable food outside their front
door by 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 21. Volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will pick up donated food and deliver it to Utah Food Bank’s Blanding warehouse (295 E. 200 N.) and the Monticello Stake Center (165 S. Main Street) for distribution to Utah Food Bank Southeastern Distribution Center.
Alternatively you can go directly to those locations to make donations on Saturday as well.
Donated food should be commercially packaged (non-glass), non-perishable and nutritious (ideally low-sodium and low-sugar items). Most-needed food items include beef stew, chili, peanut butter, boxed meals, canned meats and canned fruits and vegetables.
Utah Food Bank Southeastern Distribution Center Director RT Nielson explained that in an average month the center serves about 4,500 patrons.
“On a normal visit someone might receive in the neighborhood of $100 or more of financial support in product. So you can start to see that that is really helping and making a substantial difference to a number of people right here locally, our neighbors, our family members.”
Nielsen added that in an average month about 100,000 pounds of food can go out to local pantries. This week local they’re hoping to top last year’s amount raised of 7,500 pounds of food in donations.
Utah Food Bank adds If you prefer to support this effort financially, online donations will be matched up to $50,000 in total. With this donation match opportunity, that means Utah Food Bank can stretch each $1 donated into $14.46 worth of goods and services for our
neighbors facing hunger. To donate online visit www.utahfoodbank.org/feedutah26.
“This food drive comes at a crucial time as donations from the holidays begin to thin, but the need for assistance remains extremely elevated due to high costs of living,” said Ginette Bott, Utah Food Bank President & CEO. “With so many groups and individuals partnering together to make a difference, there is power to make a difference for so many in our communities struggling with hunger!”