Pantry Parades Gather Food For Needy Utah Families

MORGAN, Utah – Volunteers used several small parades to help collect as much food as possible for pantries in northern Utah.

Workers at the Young Automotive group noticed there was a big need for food when they decided to help out at area food banks.

“I just realized there is a tremendous need right now,” said Tami Olsen, director of the Caring Young Foundation.

Olsen said they wanted to reach out to as many communities as possible after realizing food pantries around Utah were struggling through this pandemic.

They came up with eight small parades that gathered food from neighborhoods throughout Weber, Morgan and Davis counties on Friday.

Residents were asked to leave their bags of food at the curb and come out and watch from their driveways.

“I’m really proud of this community. I’ve lived here basically my entire life and the people in this neighborhood, like all neighbors across the nation and Utah are struggling to find things to do and find ways to give back,” said Trevor Compton, one of the people who watched and donated. “We’re lucky. Both of us have jobs and we’re still employed. Our kids are safe.”

In Morgan County, Diesel Dave of the Diesel Brothers joined the effort, unannounced so he wouldn’t draw any crowds.

“The world right now is being torn down by the coronavirus and I think it’s time everyone kind of stood together to build each other up,” Dave said. “The coolest thing about this is seeing how many people are coming out to help, how many people are ready to lift up the people that need the help in this world.”

Donations from Friday’s parades will go to Catholic Community Services, and the Morgan and Bountiful food pantries.

“Even though we’re six feet apart, we’re still a community,” Compton said.

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• Avoid close contact with people who may be sick
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Additional Resources

If you see evidence of PRICE GOUGING, the Utah Attorney General’s Office wants you to report it. Common items in question include toilet paper, water, hand sanitizer, certain household cleaners, and even cold medicine and baby formula. Authorities are asking anyone who sees price gouging to report it to the Utah Division of Consumer Protection at 801-530-6601 or 800-721-7233. The division can also be reached by email at consumerprotection@utah.gov.