Utah Food Bank asks for help feeding ‘record levels’ of Utahns in need

SALT LAKE CITY — In this time of giving, Utah Food Bank is encouraging Utahns to donate as much as they can to help the “record levels of need for food assistance” across the state KSL.com reported Friday.

“This holiday season is shaping up to be drastically different for Utah Food Bank than any others in recent memory, given the current economic climate. We are incredibly blessed with support from our community, but with the cost of doing business rising dramatically, we need that to continue now more than ever,” Utah Food Bank President and CEO Ginette Bott said in a statement.

Many Utahns who were just getting back on their feet after the pandemic are finding themselves unable to feed their families because of “ever-rising inflation,” according to the Utah Food Bank. Approximately one in nine Utah kids and a total of 289,000 Utahns are unsure where their next meal will come from.

Holidays tighten everyone’s budgets, making it harder to use discretionary income for charitable donations. Because gas and food have increased in cost, the food bank is having to spend more money to distribute the same amount of food.

“With no end in sight to inflation, Utahns facing hunger need your help more than ever this holiday season,” Utah Food Bank officials said in a statement.

The Utah Food Bank is hosting a Holiday Food & Fund Drive that runs through Jan. 15, which includes the 17th annual Utah Human Race on Thanksgiving morning in Sandy. All fees for the race will go toward fighting hunger statewide.

For those of you waiting for the forecast to register for the Utah Human Race, Thanksgiving is looking to be a beautiful day in Sandy with friendly clear skies! It's only a week away, so register now! https://t.co/YEB551nL2x pic.twitter.com/Fpilyu03Kr

— Utah Food Bank (@utahfoodbank) November 17, 2022

Online registration for the race closes Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 5 p.m. and the run is open to all ages and abilities.

“Whether someone wants to give food, time or money, it all benefits Utah families and individuals, and seeing the appreciation on the children’s faces when they receive a hot meal is a powerful reminder of just how crucial our mission is,” Bott said.

This year’s feast will cost more. Market research firm IRI predicted that your Thanksgiving meal will cost about 13.5% more compared to last year, based on how retail prices in the four weeks through October 16 compared to the same period in 2021.

IRI measures items including turkey and other meat, baking essentials, beverages and popular side dishes in its list of Thanksgiving foods.

However, there are still ways to save. KSL’s Tamara Vaifanua has three-budget friendly tips that can make your Thanksgiving meal memorable without spending all your gravy.